We, as pet owners, always fear that our pets may get lost no matter how much we watch over them and protect them. But there are different ways in which we can identify and locate our dog or cat in case of an emergency.
Here I’ll explain the difference between the microchip and the GPS, and depending on your needs, which one you should choose for your canine or feline.
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Difference between microchip and GPS
Many people think that, just like a GPS, they can easily track their pet with a microchip from an application on their cell phone, but this is not the case.
First of all, the microchip doesn’t serve as a locator or tracker. It’s a small electronic chip (the size of a grain of rice) implanted under the skin of your pet by injection.
The chip works as an identification system, as it contains essential information about your pet such as its medical history, if it suffers from any disease or if it has had any medical treatment. It also contains the owner’s contact information including name, phone number, address, and email address.
The microchip contains a unique identification number (like the national identity card we use, depending on the country). However, to access the information contained in the chip you must have a microchip reader, which is usually available at veterinary clinics.
On the other hand, the GPS is a tracking device that is placed in the collar of your canine or feline. It has neither your pet’s identification information nor the owner’s contact information, but with this device, you can see your pet’s trajectory in real-time through a mobile application.
| GPS and Microchip | ||
| GPS | MICROCHIP | |
| Localization | You can track your pet from your cellphone in real-time. | It’s not a tracker and the information can only be seen in a special reader. |
| Usage | Easy to put and pain-free. Attach it to your dog’s collar. | It must be put by a veterinarian using a special needle. |
| Function | It has neither the pet’s nor the owner’s information. | It has important information like contact and medical history information. |
| Law | The GPS is not mandatory, but the microchip is in some countries. | |
| Advantages | You can find your pet quickly if he still has the collar. | You can demonstrate the pet is yours but the chip can only be read in a veterinary scanner. |
Analyzing the microchip
Pros
Some benefits of the microchip are:
- They allow authorities to contact you in case your pet gets lost.
- The veterinarian who scans the microchip will also be able to access your canine’s medical information, so they will know if he needs special treatment for a disease he is suffering from or if he is allergic to any food.
- Of course, it will also prevent anyone from stealing your pet (yes, it can happen) since the chip will have your data and if they decide to change it, they will have to go to a veterinarian who will be able to contact you.
- It prevents abandonment since the authorities can verify who’s responsible for the canine and return it to its owner or make the necessary arrangements.
- You can get it in authorized companies that distribute pet identification products, in veterinaries, or at governmental events where they can be implanted free of charge.
Cons
- You must consider that in order for the person who found your pet to contact you, he/she must take him/her to the veterinarian and that the place has a device to scan the chip (in some countries, it is not mandatory, they may not have it or they may not even think that your pet has the chip).
How is the microchip implanted?
The microchip, unlike the GPS, is implanted under the animal’s skin and the procedure must always be done by a veterinarian. The microchip is injected into the left side of the neck with a special needle.
How much does the microchip cost?
The cost of the microchip will vary depending on the country and the veterinarian, and in some cases it is even free of charge, especially for people of lower income.
In Colombia, for example, it can cost around 50,000 COP or about 13 USD (November 2021).
Is using microchipping mandatory?
In some countries, such as Spain, the microchip is mandatory to easily identify pets, so you must get it if you live in this country. Since it is mandatory, it is more reliable than veterinary clinics or competent entities have the chip reader to contact the owner in case a pet gets lost.
On the other hand, the dog can be between 6 and 8 weeks to get it, however, check with your veterinarian. If the dog is an adopted adult, you should put it on as soon as possible or if you already had one from the foundation, change the contact information.
Also, if you want to travel with your pet, you must keep in mind that many countries require the pet to have an identification microchip to enter the country. Some of them are:
- Uruguay.
- The European Union (all countries belonging to it).
- Australia.
- New Zealand.
Analyzing the GPS
Pros
- With the GPS you can track and locate your pet quickly by yourself in real-time, and know the whole journey he has made. It makes you somewhat more confident than the microchip.
- It’s easy to put on your pet’s collar, there’s no medical process involved.
- With the GPS you can delimit a zone that your canine or feline cannot leave, if it goes beyond this zone the GPS will send alert messages to your cell phone.
Cons
- You must charge the battery every so often (this varies depending on the one you buy, and the specifications will be on the packaging).
- The GPS won’t have any information about you or your canine, so the person who finds it won’t know who to contact or if the dog has a medical condition.
- Since it’s on the collar it may come off (the collar) or someone may take it off.
How do you put the GPS on?
The GPS is simple, you just put it on your pet’s collar and it will launch satellite emissions that you can access through your cell phone, tablet or computer.
How much does the GPS cost?
You can find it from 5 USD but the costs vary according to the model and the country of sale.
Microchip or GPS for your pet. Which one to choose?
Regardless of whether a microchip is mandatory in your country, it’s advisable to have both devices. If your canine gets lost, the person who finds it can take it to the veterinarian, and there they will be able to contact you and know your canine’s medical data in case of an emergency or an accident.
In addition, the GPS will allow you to locate him quickly and not have to wait for someone to find him and scan the identification code. So in a way, it will be much more protected. Besides, we already know that there are a lot of dishonest people and we don’t want our pet to be stolen.
Of course, if you can only acquire one it will depend if it is mandatory in your country. For example, in my country (Colombia) the microchip is not mandatory, so I would go for the GPS as it allows me to know where my pet is and find her quickly if she gets lost.
Note: the microchip data must always be updated, for example, if you changed your cell phone number or address.
