Pet Microchipping in Oakland, TN
Microchipping is one of the simplest steps you can take to protect your pet—a quick procedure with lifelong benefits. At Main Street Animal Clinic, we offer microchipping for dogs and cats as part of routine preventive care or as a standalone visit.
How Pet Microchipping Works
A microchip is a tiny device—roughly the size of a grain of rice—implanted just beneath the skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It carries a unique identification number linked to your contact information in a national registry.
The chip itself doesn’t transmit a signal or track your pet’s location. When a lost pet is brought to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, staff scan for a microchip using a handheld reader. If a chip is found, they look up the ID number in the registry and use the contact information on file to reach the owner.
The procedure takes only a few seconds. It’s performed with a needle—similar in feel to a routine vaccination—and requires no anesthesia. Most pets tolerate it well with minimal reaction, and we can easily provide this service during a regular wellness exam or drop-off visit. The microchip does not require a monthly prescription fee.
Microchipping vs. Collars and Tags
Collars and ID tags are useful, but they have real limitations. Tags can become worn and unreadable. Collars can slip off, break, or be removed. A microchip is permanent—it stays with your pet for life and can’t be lost, damaged, or taken off.
For pets that travel, spend time outdoors, or have a history of escaping, a microchip provides a reliable backup identification method that works even when a collar doesn’t.
Registering Your Pet’s Microchip
The microchip itself is only useful if the registration is current. After your pet is chipped, the ID number needs to be registered in a national database with your up-to-date contact information. If you move or change phone numbers, updating that registration is essential.
When we microchip your pet at Main Street Animal Clinic, you will need to register the microchip so your pet’s chip is active and linked to your information from day one. The registration process only takes a few minutes but is a necessary step to make sure the chip is registered to you, the owner. There is no annual subscription for the microchip to work.
If your pet was previously microchipped elsewhere and you’re unsure whether the registration is current, we can scan the chip and help you verify or update the record.
When to Microchip Your Pet
Microchipping can be done at almost any age and during almost any visit. Many pet owners choose to have it done at the same time as a spay or neuter procedure, since the pet is already under anesthesia—though it’s equally quick and easy as a standalone procedure without anesthesia.
If your pet is already an adult and hasn’t been microchipped yet, there’s no reason to wait. It’s a one-time procedure with no ongoing maintenance beyond keeping your registration current.
Microchipping FAQs
Does microchipping hurt?
What database is the microchip registered in?
My pet already has a microchip—what do I need to do?
If your pet was chipped at a previous clinic or shelter, the most important thing is to confirm the registration is active and your contact information is up to date. We can scan your pet’s chip at your next visit and help you locate or update the registration if needed.
Can microchips track my pet's location?
Is microchipping required in Tennessee?
Get Your Pet Microchipped in Oakland, TN
We offer microchipping at our clinic on Hwy 64 in Oakland, TN, and welcome pets from across Fayette, Shelby, Hardeman and Tipton counties, as well as some areas of Mississippi. Microchipping can be added to an existing appointment or scheduled as a quick, standalone visit. Call us at (901) 235-7127 or book online to get your pet protected.