Pet Microchips in Columbus for Dogs & Cats
Losing a pet, even for a few hours, is one of the scariest things a family can go through—especially in a major city with lots of heavy traffic. Getting a dog or cat microchip in Columbus is one of the simplest ways you can help protect your pet from getting permanently lost. At PAWS Veterinary Care, we offer our Columbus pet microchip service for puppies, kittens, cats, and dogs, offering peace of mind when it comes to locating your furry friend.
Columbus Pet Microchip Services We Offer
Standalone Microchipping
If your pet hasn't been microchipped yet, we can take care of it during a regular exam or wellness visit. For adult cats and dogs, there's no anesthesia involved. It's a quick injection that’s similar to other routine injections your pet may have had, and most pets walk out of the building like nothing happened.
Microchipping with Spay or Neuter
We typically recommend that microchipping for puppies in Columbus be done at the same time as their spay or neuter procedure. The same is true for kittens who are being spayed or neutered. The needle used for microchipping is a large-gauge needle, and waiting until your puppy or kitten is already under anesthesia means they won't feel it at all.
Lost Pet Reunification Support
If a lost pet is brought to us with a microchip already in place, our team scans it and reaches out to the microchip provider on file. From there, we work with the provider to help get that pet back home to their family. It's the reason microchips exist in the first place, and we’re honored to help lost animals find their way home.
Why Choose PAWS to Microchip Your Cat or Dog
Universal Scanner Compatibility
We carry the HomeAgain brand of microchips, which can be read by any microchip scanner at any clinic or shelter. Your pet's information will be accessible no matter where they end up.
Special Care for Young Pets
For very young kittens and puppies, we generally wait until their spay or neuter appointment rather than performing the procedure on its own so your pet won’t feel anything when the chip is placed.
Guidance Beyond the Chip
We send you reminders to keep your pet's registration current. We also recommend having your vet scan your pet's chip periodically to confirm that it's still in place, since chips can occasionally shift or migrate under the skin.
Every Pet, Every Lifestyle
Whether you have an indoor-only cat, a dog who never leaves the yard, or a puppy who's still learning the rules, we recommend microchipping across the board. Indoor pets get outside more often than people expect, and a microchip gives every escaped pet a way back home.
Quick Procedure
The procedure itself only takes moments, and there's no recovery time needed. It's a straightforward way to give your pet a permanent form of identification.
How Much Does it Cost to Microchip a Cat or Dog in Columbus?
Microchipping is a one-time cost. The price is the same for cats and dogs, and there's no annual renewal fee. Most microchip registries include a free basic registration, and some offer an optional paid subscription with added features—but the core service that keeps your pet's information on file doesn't require ongoing payments.
Did You Know?
Holidays, especially the Fourth of July, are some of the most common times for pets to go missing. Fireworks, celebrations, travel, and disrupted routines can quickly lead to lost animals, and a microchip is one of the best tools available to help bring a pet back home safely. Just remember that a microchip only works if the information is accurate—so if you’ve moved or changed your phone number, don’t forget to update your information with the manufacturer!
"It’s not uncommon for someone to bring in a cat or dog they’ve found and it's a well-fed, well-groomed animal. You can tell this pet has an owner. But without a microchip, there's no way to know who. Microchipping is like insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but you’re so glad you have it if you do."
— Dr. Jenna Bonfiglio, Co-Founder and Veterinarian
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pet Microchipping
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear. A microchip doesn't track your pet's location in real time. It's a form of permanent identification that gets read by a scanner, so if your pet is found by a vet clinic, shelter, or animal control crew, their information can be pulled up immediately.
There's a brief pinch from the needle, but it's over quickly and doesn't require any recovery time. If your puppy or kitten is very young, we typically wait and combine the procedure with their spay or neuter appointment. Since they'll already be under anesthesia, they won't feel it at all.
Yes. We recommend it for pets of every size, breed, and lifestyle, from small cats to large dogs. The only pets we tend not to microchip are very young kittens and puppies, but that’s simply because of the needle size involved—not because of any breed restriction.
Without a microchip, there's no reliable way to confirm ownership if your lost pet is picked up by a shelter or clinic. This is especially critical when it comes to purebred dogs, which unfortunately tend to be targets for theft. A dog or cat microchip in Columbus gives your pet a permanent, tamper-proof way to be identified and returned to you.
When we microchip a dog or cat in Columbus (or any other type of pet), the chip is placed just beneath the skin between the shoulder blades. It's a simple, quick injection that doesn't require any special preparation beforehand.
Microchipping is considered very low risk. In rare cases, a pet's body may treat the chip as a foreign object and push it out over time, but this is uncommon and doesn't cause harm. If you notice a small scab at the injection site afterward, the best thing to do is leave it alone and let it heal on its own. If you have any concerns, give us a call and our vet team will take a look.
There's no bandage, no restriction on activity, and no follow-up procedure needed. We do recommend having your veterinarian scan the chip periodically at wellness visits to confirm that it's still in place and functioning properly.
Give Your Pet a Permanent Way Home
A microchip is a small step that can make an enormous difference if your pet ever gets lost. Contact PAWS today to schedule a microchipping appointment for your puppy, kitten, cat, or dog.
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN CENTRAL COLUMBUS
8321 and 8325 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43235
URGENT CARE
Monday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
PRIMARY CARE
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED