How Much Does It Cost To Microchip A Cat

How Much Does It Cost To Microchip A Cat

Are you planning to have your cat microchipped? If you’re wondering about the cost, It usually costs between $35 to $50 to microchip a cat which may include registration in a pet recovery database. However, the costs may vary depending on the service provider and if it’s inclusive of certain package deals. 

How much does it cost to microchip a cat?

If you intend to have your cat’s chip to be implanted by a veterinarian, the average cost is around $45. This is a one-time fee that often includes registration in a pet recovery database. At PetSmart, the average cost is around $35 to $50. 

Questions you need to ask if you want to microchip your cat

Having your cat microchipped is the best line of defense you can do for your cat aside from having a cat collar and ID tag. Should your cat wander off and get lost there’s a higher chance of recovering her because the microchip, once scanned, enables the persons who found her to contact you, the rightful owner and pet parent.

If you’re highly considering to have your cat microchipped some of the questions that you need to ask from your vet would be the following:

  • what is the type of microchip or brand?
  • will it include the registration of the chip?
  • what tracking organization will it be registered to?
  • is the registration for a lifetime or does it need to be renewed?
  • if it is to be renewed, what are the intervals and the cost?

What are the services you can avail of if you want to microchip your cat?

What are the services you can avail of if you want to microchip your cat
Image: istockphoto.com / 2002lubava1981

If you intend to purchase a microchip for your cat with the use of the 24PetWatch these are the following free pet protection services that you’ll receive: 

  • a complimentary basic online profile with your contact details and the ability to update your phone number and email address anytime via online 
  • timely and convenient automated lost pet emails and calls 
  • the ability to report a lost or found pet at mypethealth.com online 

You should always keep your pet’s profile updated along with your current contact information and a recent photo of your pet cat. So that if ever your pet gets lost or may wander off and found by a pet shelter, she will be scanned with the use of an RFID scanner to read the chip. Once scanned, the pet shelter or a vet can contact the 24PetWatch Lost Pet Recovery Team who will be the responsible party to contact you, the pet owner. 

Guide to choosing the best microchip for your cat

Choosing a good quality microchip for your pet cat makes all the difference to ensure that it’s durable and delivers only topnotch service. Apart from the device itself, it is important to use a dependable service provider to avoid unnecessary side effects such as the microchip moving. Before you decide on a particular brand, here’s a helpful checklist to serve as your guide:

  • manufacturing standards – be sure that the microchip comes from a company that has input on the chip’s design and use, This is because most microchip suppliers are only resellers who don’t have the slightest idea about the product.
  • it should have ISO standards – check that the microchip brand and company is ISO compliant and certified. 
  • warranty and guarantee  – go for a microchip company with a good track record and provides a lifetime warranty and guarantee.
  • check the microchip code if unique or shared – microchips should have a unique three-digit code so make sure not to buy a microchip that has a shared code to ensure trackability accuracy.

Pet recovery and microchip service providers 

Pet recovery and microchip service providers 

Here’s a list of some of the popular pet recovery and microchip service providers:

1. AKC Reunite

AKC Reunite’s mission is to keep pet microchipping and enrolment affordable. The company has no annual fees and is considered as the USA’s largest non-profit pet microchip and recovery service. Since 1995 it has helped reunite over half a million lost pets with their owners. 

2. AVID

AVID or Avid Identification Systems, Inc. is a privately held company and a major supplier of patented and industry-leading RFID products in the US and other countries.  It implemented the microchip and recovery system around 20 years ago and their mission continues until today, which is to save pets’ lives through microchip identification and recovery.    

3. 24PetWatch 

24Petwatch is a pet insurance service provider for Canadian and North American pet owners and it also provides lost pet recovery database management services. 

4. PetLink

PetLink provides microchip registration and also provides other services to ensure that pet cats have long and healthy lives. 

Conclusion

A cat’s microchip provides permanent identification and your best line of defense should your cat wander off or may get lost because of a catastrophe.  It costs an average of $35 to $50 to microchip a cat which is fairly manageable for most pet owners. Having your cat microchipped is a smart choice and there’s always a great probability of pet recovery and a happy reunion for you and your pet cat.