Preventative Care
Microchipping in West Fork, AR
Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital, where a quick microchip appointment can give your dog or cat permanent identification and a much better chance of finding their way home.
Understanding Microchipping
Things happen: natural disasters, pets run away and get lost. Even when life is normal, something as ordinary as leaving the gate to your yard open can result in a missing pet.
Microchipping is a simple, safe way to help ensure your pet can be identified and returned to you if they ever get lost. Unlike collars or tags, microchips can’t fall off or be removed, offering permanent identification and lifelong peace of mind.
Each microchip has a unique ID number linked to your contact information. At Smithers Animal Hospital, we are partnered with HomeAgain to make sure your pet’s microchip ID is registered.
What to Expect When Your Pet Is Microchipped
Microchips can be implanted at any point in your pet’s life. We can do it with a scheduled appointment, including during a physical exam or vaccination visit.
A Quick, Simple Procedure
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted under your pet’s skin in a process similar to a vaccination, and it takes only a few minutes.
Registration with HomeAgain
We make sure your pet’s microchip ID is registered with HomeAgain. Once registered, you will need to update HomeAgain with any new phone numbers or addresses on the HomeAgain website.
If Your Pet Is Ever Lost
If your pet is microchipped and is scanned at a shelter or veterinarian’s office, they can contact you and help get your pet back home.
Why Microchip Your Pet
We recommend microchipping both indoor and outdoor pets.
- Permanent identification. A microchip can’t fall off or be removed the way a collar or tag can.
- Quick and simple. The procedure takes only a few minutes and feels similar to a vaccination.
- Scanned everywhere. Shelters and veterinary offices routinely scan found pets for a microchip.
- Registered with HomeAgain. We make sure your pet’s microchip ID is registered.
- Protection for indoor pets too. Even indoor pets can slip out an open door or gate, or get separated during an emergency.
A microchip works best alongside a collar and ID tag, and it only helps if your contact information is current, so be sure to update HomeAgain whenever it changes.
Schedule Your Pet’s Microchip Appointment Today
Give your pet permanent identification with microchipping in West Fork at Smithers Animal Hospital. Call us at (479) 839-2328 or visit 53 S CENTENNIAL AVE, WEST FORK, AR 72774 to schedule. We welcome patients from West Fork and surrounding communities.
Microchipping: Frequently Asked Questions
Does microchipping hurt my pet?
Microchipping is a quick procedure similar to a vaccination. The chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is implanted under the skin. Most pets tolerate it well, and it takes only a few minutes.
Is a microchip a GPS tracker?
No. A microchip does not track your pet’s location. It holds a unique ID number that a scanner can read when your pet is found, and that number is linked to your contact information so you can be reached.
Which microchip company do you use?
We are partnered with HomeAgain to make sure your pet’s microchip ID is registered. Once registered, keep your phone number and address up to date on the HomeAgain website.
Should I microchip an indoor pet?
Yes. If your indoor-only pet accidentally gets out, or you get separated during a natural disaster, a microchip gives them permanent identification that can’t fall off or be removed.
When can my pet be microchipped?
Microchips can be implanted at any point in your pet’s life. Call us at (479) 839-2328 to schedule an appointment, or ask about it at your pet’s next visit.