What is a microchip?
A pet microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, that’s placed just under the skin between the shoulder blades. Each chip contains a unique identification number that a handheld scanner can read. When a lost pet is found, veterinarians, shelters, and animal control officers can use that number to look up the pet’s registered contact.
Microchips act like permanent ID tags that can’t fall off, wear out, or be removed. They contain no battery, never expire, and last for the lifetime of your pet.
At Lollypop Farm, every dog and cat adopted from our shelter is automatically microchipped. New adopters simply need to update their information using the instructions provided in their adoption packet. If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, your primary veterinarian can help.
Just remember: a microchip is only as useful as the information attached to it. Be sure to register your chip and keep your contact details up to date so your pet can always find their way home.
Moto’s Story
When Moto arrived at Lollypop Farm, he was one of many pets coming from a home with far more animals than it could safely care for. As part of every animal’s intake exam, our team checked him for a microchip, which changed everything for Moto’s story.
The scanner revealed that Moto had once belonged to someone else. When Admissions Counselor Jen called the number linked to the chip, she reached Kerri, who shared a surprising story: Moto had gone missing from Brockport four years ago while she was a college student.
“I got Moto during the summer of 2020,” Kerri states. “I took him everywhere with me as a kitten, and he became quite the social butterfly, eventually moving with me to SUNY Brockport that fall. He loved the attention and made friends all over campus, including with the Brockport and University police. Brockport police had even brought him back to me with him locked up in the backseat like he had been arrested. I wish I had a photo of that. He was a true escape artist; no matter how hard I tried to keep him inside, he always found a way out to go on adventures.
Unfortunately, during one such adventure in the fall of 2021, he crossed the canal and couldn’t find his way back. While he often wandered for a day or two, I grew concerned when he didn’t return.” She had tried desperately to track him down, but by the time she got close, he had already been given away.
Fast forward, and Moto is finally going home. Even though he came from a situation with many animals and may have been exposed to health concerns, Kerri didn’t hesitate. She still loves him deeply and wants to give him the happy life he deserves.
“All my college friends couldn’t believe our ‘Brockport kitty, ‘ as many called him, had made his way back to me. I can only wonder about the lives he lived in between. Since I cannot have cats in my current apartment, Moto is now happily ‘retired’ with my parents in northern New York. I did keep him with me for a few weeks before moving him, and he is still his same happy, playful, and loving self, which means constantly demanding snuggles and following everyone around.”
After four long years, Moto is back with the people who have loved him all along, all thanks to the power of a microchip implanted years ago.
Donate today to help pets like Moto www.lollypop.org/donate.
