With current technology, microchips do not have a GPS or real-time tracking function. Instead, the microchip inside your pet is passive—just waiting to be scanned. Although there are non-powered GPS, none are made biocompatible to be safely implanted in pets yet.
No; cat microchips don't use the Global Positioning System (GPS) or any other navigation / localization technology. ⚠️ Due to the absence of GPS technology in microchips, you cannot actively track and locate your lost cat with a microchip.
A vet or shelter can scan the chip to find the pet's ID number, which should pull up the owner's contact information. In some cases, the chip can also help track the pet's medical history if the registry you're using allows you to enter it. Some scanners and chips are not compatible.
A microchip is not a tracking device and therefore it cannot be used to track the cat or establish the location of the cat if it was to go missing. The microchip is a RFID (radio frequency identification), which doesn't require charging as there isn't a battery.
Unfortunately, no. A smart phone can not and will not ever be able to read a pet's microchip.
installation using the PetScanner app was simple on my Moto G7 Android phone and the scanner connected without a hiccup. The scanner detected a chip and number although you need to subscribe to get full details from unless the Pet is on the Petscanner database.
Start scanning slowly between the pet's shoulder blades, going side-to-side in an “S” shaped pattern for ten seconds. If no chip is detected, rotated the scanner 90 degrees and scan again between the pets shoulder blades. If the microchip is not detected, there is a very small chance it may have shifted in the pet.
Note that Apple designed this device to help you find misplaced objects. AirTag was not designed to keep track of cats. Apple has been clear that it does not condone the use of its AirTag to keep track of pets or people.
To check if your pet is microchipped, you need to have them scanned by a veterinarian or an animal shelter. The tools and scanners they have are the only way to activate and check for the RFID microchip in your pet. You can also check a pet's collar to see if they are microchipped.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. We insert them between your pet's shoulder blades, where they can barely feel them.
No. Once inserted, microchips never expire. Every chip comes in packaging with an expiration date, but that only tells the shelter or clinic how long the package will remain sterile. If the chip is planted before that date, it will stay safe and sterile.
Answer: The smallest GPS tracker on the market is the Mirco Hornet. The tiny GPS tracker developed by Origin GPS weighs only 2.5 gm.
It is your responsibility to contact your microchip company to change details, but your vet can help you if you have lost your pet's microchip number or are not sure which company your pet's microchip is registered with.
According to internal claims data, a microchip bill can cost between $50 – $70. Some vets may charge an additional examination fee, while others may just charge for the microchip and injection. The cost of microchipping your cat could vary based on your location and vet.
How Much Does It Cost to Microchip Your Cat? The average cost is only about $45—and that includes the actual chip, the vet procedure, and possible registration fees.
Finding a lost cat at night might be easier. Make sure to have a flashlight with you as you check inside and outside your house. Look for them in areas where they can hide such as under the car, under the porch, near the vents, or even in your attic.
Although the implanted microchip will continue to function over your cat's lifetime without any need for maintenance, the system will not work unless you keep your contact information current. If you move or change your telephone number, make sure you update the information with the registration agency.
Enter the serial number into the microchip registry.
Go to the company website and enter the serial number of your pet cat's microchip. You may also make a direct and follow up calls to the company to see if your cat has been scanned anywhere.
Check your documents
When your dog is first microchipped, you should have been given a document wallet that shows which database your pet is registered to and clearly show the microchip's number. You dog might also have a vaccination certificate from the vet that will show the microchip number on it.
Instantly find your cat using features from the Weenect app (iOS and Android). Weenect's cat tracker collar features a built-in wireless tracking system that shows your cat's GPS location on multiple map views, including standard, satellite, and optional terrain and hiking trails.
Can an AirTag help you find your lost dog? While AirTag has some advantages over traditional GPS trackers – like its low price tag and long battery life – it's not recommended for tracking dogs.
Tractive GPS Tracker for Cats
Affordable and full-featured, the Tractive LTE tells you where your cat is and when they're on the move. The Tractive is a solid choice for larger cats and pet parents looking for a wealth of tracking information at a surprisingly reasonable price point.
It must be made clear that a microchip itself does not track your pet. Microchips are primarily used for identification purposes, but with PetScanner, when scanning a microchip, the device allows a pet to be located using the GPS position of the phone that is connected to the device.
Sure. It wouldn't even be hard - so long as the person was unconscious - and assuming one has the implant device. After implanting, it is literally just a bump in the skin, about the size of a grain of rice.