A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit about the size of a grain of rice that is placed under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. The microchip procedure is simple, routine and virtually painless, and it doesn't require any anesthesia. The procedure is similar to a routine vaccination.

A microchip contains a unique identification number. The chip does not broadcast frequencies and it is not a GPS or tracking device. A scanner must be used to read the information on the chip.

If your cat gets lost and is picked up and taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, a scanner will be used to read the identification number on the chip. The shelter or veterinarian will call the chip manufacturer and give them the identification number which links in their database to your contact information. You will be contacted about where to pick up your cat. Because there is a chance that your lost cat may not find her way to a shelter or veterinary clinic to be scanned, it is essential that you report your cat as missing to your local animal shelter or animal control agency; put up posters in the area; and look for your cat at your local shelters.

It is very important that you verify your contact information in the manufacturer’s database and keep it updated so that you can be contacted in the event your cat is lost.

Congratulations on keeping your pet safe inside! Lost indoor cats are brought into animal shelters every day. Doors get left open, screens come loose; cats may be frightened by unusual household activity and dart out the door; a repair person or guest may inadvertently let the cat out. No matter how careful you are, there’s a chance your cat could get out, and without ID, her chances of getting home are slim.

Your cat would look for you if you were lost, so please do the same for her. Report your cat as missing immediately to animal shelters and animal control agencies, post signs in your neighborhood, and go to the nearest animal shelters to look for her.

All cats should wear identification tags at all times. Cats with a collar and current tag can be more easily identified as owned and can be returned to you by neighbors or good samaritans, without ever having to go to the shelter. Tags should be attached to a safety collar (a special collar designed to break or stretch should the cat get hung up on it) and should include a local contact number, as well as a number for a friend or nearby relative.

Proper identification tags are your pet's first ticket home if she becomes lost. Microchips provide an important extra level of protection in the event your cat loses her collar and tags. Providing your cat with both tags and a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens: your beloved pet gets lost.

The microchip procedure is simple, routine and virtually painless, and it doesn't require any anesthesia. The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is injected just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. The procedure is similar to a routine vaccination.

Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of a cat—a chip typically lasts at least 25 years. Chips do not need replacing. Once the microchip is implanted, it will remain there and readable for the life of your pet.

Having your cat microchipped is the first step in pet protection. However, the microchip has no recovery benefits unless you verify and update your registration in the national database. Through the CHIP YOUR CAT program, the veterinary clinic or shelter that implants the microchip will complete the initial registration online. It is essential that you follow up with the appropriate database to verify and update all contact information. Keeping this information current is essential. At the time of implant, you will be provided with all the information you need to verify your information with the microchip company.

You may bring in as many cats as you can legally own in the area in which you live. If you have questions about the number of cats you are allowed to own, please contact your local animal control agency. Please consider your cats’ safety and comfort when transporting multiple cats.

While we encourage you and your friends, neighbors and family members to get your cat chipped through the CHIP YOUR CAT™ initiative, we are unable to chip a cat without the owner present. A release from liability must be signed by the cat’s owner at the time of the microchip implant. Make it a fun group outing and encourage other cat owners you know to attend one of the chipping events with you.

While it is important for all cats to receive regular veterinary care and to be microchipped, the CHIP YOUR CAT program was conceived and designed to help positively affect the lives of the estimated 1 million cats in the Denver metro area. Because CHIP YOUR CAT is a partnership between the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, the Dumb Friends League, and participating members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance, the program is limited to cats owned by residents of the six-county Denver metro area.

However, many shelters and veterinarians can microchip your cat for a reasonable price. For a list of veterinarians in your area please click here or visit www.colovma.org and click on “Find a Veterinarian” at the top of the page.

It's true that a scanner is required to read the information on the microchip. Virtually all veterinarians and shelters in Colorado are equipped with universal scanners, capable of reading all manufacturers’ chips, to scan your pet should she become lost.

Veterinarians have implanted microchips in animals for years and the process has proven to be very safe. The chip is made out of an inert, biocompatible substance, which means it won't cause an allergic reaction or degenerate over time.

When you arrive for your cat’s implant, a veterinarian will examine her only to determine whether she is healthy enough for the microchip procedure. Should health issues be observed, you may be asked to see your own veterinarian before having a chip implanted. If you have questions about your cat’s health status or additional concerns about microchipping your cat, please consult your veterinarian.

If you find a cat, call the owner listed on the tag, or have it scanned by a shelter or veterinary clinic for a microchip. If the cat has no tag or collar, or you are unable to find the owner, post found signs in the area and bring the cat to your nearest shelter.