How microchips reunite lost pets with their families

Name: Bloomfield Animal Hospital
Address: 20927 Norwalk Blvd, Lakewood, CA, 90715, US
Telephone: (562) 383-7788
Price range: 0

Bloomfield Animal Hospital prioritizes services that keep your pet happy, safe, and healthy. The microchipping service at our Lakewood, California clinic fits in seamlessly with this preventative approach and is an important part of your pet’s broader wellness program.

What is microchipping?

This minor procedure involves safely and gently introducing a small electronic chip under your pet’s skin. The microchip securely contains and transmits information to help reunite you with your dog or cat if they escape or are otherwise separated from you.

How is the microchip introduced?

The procedure involves injecting this tiny e-chip under the skin, typically in the area behind the neck and between the shoulder blades. The chip is enclosed within a small cylinder, no bigger than a grain of rice. Since the microchip is so small and the procedure is well-tolerated, no anesthetic or sedation is necessary for comfort. The placement of the chip can also be completed quickly, in just minutes, and may easily be incorporated into your pet’s regular wellness visit.

What information does the chip contain?

Each pet is assigned a unique identifier.” This chip can then be scanned at most rescue, humane society, clinic, and animal welfare organizations. The device that scans your pet delivers radio waves, which activate the microchip. Once activated, the chip transmits your pet’s unique number to the scanner. That identifier is visible on a monitor and may be used to contact you. So, microchips support many happy reunions! In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dogs are twice as likely to be reunited with their owners if they are microchipped. Cats with the chips are a whopping 20 times more likely to be returned to their families than non-chipped kitties.

Is there anything I need to do after my pet is microchipped?

Yes. You must register the microchip in a registration database. We will provide you with information on the specific database/registry. Since your pet’s one-of-a-kind identifying number is how you will be contacted after your dog or cat is found, it is essential to keep your pet’s information up to date. Be sure to notify the registry of any changes to your contacts, such as a new phone number. The ability to reunite pets and parents is only as good as the information on file.

Our veterinarians will also scan the chip during routine visits to Bloomfield Animal Hospital to ensure it works. This service provides peace of mind that cannot be achieved with tags that may fall off or become damaged and unreadable. Contact our team at (562) 383-7788 to learn more about protecting your pet with a secure, safe, and reliable microchip and to schedule an appointment at our office in Lakewood, CA.

Dr. Jose Arambulo

Dr. Jose Arambulo, owner and chief veterinarian, is experienced in treating eye, ear, and skin disorders and is especially interested in internal medicine, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. He earned his BS in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of the Philippines. He completed clinical evaluation for veterinary medicine at Purdue University in Indiana and was a veterinarian at Banfield and California before acquiring Bloomfield Animal Hospital.

Dr. Zachery Smith

Our Traveling Surgeon, Dr. Zachery Smith, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He specializes in complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. While training, he worked with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. He has lectured both locally and internationally. Dr. Smith plays a leading role at Veterinary Orthopedics of California, which is dedicated to providing high-level surgical services to pets.

Dr. Fred Brewer

Our visiting physician, Dr. Fred Brewer, is a veterinary cardiologist board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology at UCLA and earned his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2009. Later, he completed a one-year general rotating internship at the California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in West Los Angeles and a three-year cardiology residency at Cornell University.