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An important part of the recovery process for lost animals is the scanner to read the microchip at a veterinarian, SPCA or animal shelter. Animal Control officers also carry a scanner in case they pick up a lost pet. When a lost pet is brought into a facility such as a veterinarian’s office or animal shelter, it is imperative that every pet be scanned to see if it has a microchip. The standard area for a microchip in a cat or dog is between the shoulder blades. Scan in a circular motion, such as an “O”, “S” or “8” pattern. If no microchip is located, it is important to follow with a scan over the shoulders, ears, neck, down each front leg and through the chest area. Microchips can migrate if not implanted deep enough. A migrated chip usually works its way over to a shoulder or down to the lowest point. It is not hazardous to the pet, it just makes it difficult to locate. Please be thorough.
 When the microchip number is displayed on the scanner’s LCD screen, the facility should call the PETtrac Recovery Service. We will request the microchip number and search our PETtrac Database for the owner information. If the microchip is registered with PETtrac, the Recovery Service will give the caller the owner information and alternate contacts if required. Should the microchip NOT be registered with PETtrac, the Recovery Service will provide other database contact numbers to help you locate the animal's owner information.
We currently supply a small, hand-held model called the Mini Tracker. This scanner reads all makes of FECAVA (FDX-A) and AVID encrypted microchips worldwide. It is also capable of reading 15 year old Infopet and Destron 400 KHz microchips. This scanner must be purchased directly from us. We hope to soon have available a newer model that will be able to read these two standards as well as the ISO (FDX-B) microchip standard.
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