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Microchipping

A quick microchip gives your pet a permanent ID and increases their chance of being reunited if lost.

Microchipping: A Simple Step That Can Bring Your Pet Home
Collars and tags are helpful, but they can fall off or become unreadable. Microchipping offers permanent, secure identification that can help reunite you with your pet if they’re ever lost.

This quick, one-time procedure gives your pet a voice when they need it most—and dramatically increases the chance of a safe return home.

What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny device—about the size of a grain of rice—that’s inserted just under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique ID number that links to your contact information in a secure pet registry.

Important note: A microchip is not a GPS tracker. It doesn’t show your pet’s location in real time, but it allows shelters and veterinary clinics to scan and identify them if found.

How It Works

  1. A veterinarian injects the microchip under the skin with a quick, nearly painless injection

  2. The chip stays in place for life and requires no maintenance or battery

  3. When scanned, the chip shows a unique number tied to your contact details

  4. You register the chip with your contact info (we’ll guide you through it)

  5. If your pet ever ends up at a shelter or vet’s office, they’ll be scanned and matched to you

Why It Matters

  • 1 in 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime

  • Only about 20% of dogs and 2% of cats without microchips are reunited with their families

  • With microchips, return-to-owner rates increase significantly—up to 38% for cats and over 50% for dogs

Microchipping provides peace of mind that if the unexpected happens, your pet has a reliable way home.

When to Microchip

Microchipping can be done at almost any age, and we often recommend it during spay/neuter surgery to combine it with an existing procedure. But it can be done at any routine visit in just a few minutes.

We’ll also check your pet’s chip during exams to make sure it’s still in place and working properly.

Your pet depends on you to keep them safe—and microchipping is one of the simplest ways to do just that. It’s affordable, fast, and could make all the difference in a moment that matters.

📍Want to check your pet’s registration? Contact us, we’re happy to help.

Boulevard Pet Hospital FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

We've been caring for dogs and cats in Castro Valley since 1974, making us one of the longest-standing veterinary clinics in the East Bay.

We are located at 3489 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546, along the main Castro Valley Boulevard corridor.

We attend to all breeds of dogs and cats. Please call us to confirm if you have a question about a specific breed or health condition.

We offer emergency vet care during business hours for dogs and cats that need prompt attention. If your pet is experiencing an urgent issue, call us right away, and our team will do everything we can to see you the same day.

Yes, we’re welcoming new patients from Castro Valley, San Leandro, Hayward, and the surrounding East Bay communities.

Boulevard Pet Hospital offers a wide range of services, including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, spaying and neutering, surgery, and diagnostics.