Microchipping is a safe, permanent way to identify your pet in case he or she becomes lost. A microchip is a tiny device about the size and shape of a grain of rice, is placed just under the loose skin at the back of the neck. When a lost dog or cat without an ID tag is found, a handheld microchip scanner can be used to check for a chip. If the pet has one, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner. The chip manufacturer is contacted, retrieves the pet owner’s contact information, and calls the owner. Using a microchip, along with a collar and ID tag, to identify your pet is the best way to ensure your pet’s identity. An ID tag is still a reliable identification method. Pets that have tags with current contact information are more likely to get home faster than those without tags.