🔍What is a microchip in simple terms?
It's a small capsule under the skin with a unique number. Like a fingerprint, but for animals. No batteries, GPS, or tracking—just a digital code that can be read with a special scanner.
The chip is about the size of half a grain of rice. Seriously, it's so tiny that your pet doesn't even notice it.
❓ Why is it even needed?
A chip is your pet's official identification. It confirms that:
✅ Vaccinations were given to this specific animal;
✅ Titration tests were given to this specific dog, not to a neighbor's;
✅ You are the owner, and everything is legal.
Without a chip, all documents are just papers. The border won't accept them.
🗓 Why it's important: FIRST the chip, THEN the vaccination
The most commonly violated golden rule:
❌ If you get a rabies shot first and then get a microchip, the vaccination is invalid. Yes, even if it's only been a day.
✅ First, get the microchip, then go to the doctor for the shots. In that order.
💉 How does the procedure work? Is it scary?
Spoiler alert: absolutely not. It's faster and easier than you think:

1. Scanner check. The veterinarian runs the device over the withers to make sure there is no chip yet (to avoid accidentally installing a second one).
2. Injection. A sterile, disposable injector is used to inject the capsule under the skin, usually near the withers, where the skin is less sensitive.
3. Recheck. They scan again to make sure: the chip is in place, it can be read, and the number matches.
4. Entry in passport. They stick on a sticker with a number, put a stamp and a signature.
5. Registration in the database. The most important step that is often forgotten!

No anesthesia is required. For your pet, it feels like a regular injection—they just give it a shot and go back to eating, playing, and sleeping. 🐾
🧪 What is the chip made of, and what types are there?
The capsule is made of biocompatible glass or polymer. This means:
✔️ It is hypoallergenic;
✔️ It is not rejected by the body;
✔️ It does not migrate under the skin (does not "move" back and forth).
The standard for traveling abroad is ISO FDX-B, 15 digits. This is the type of chip that can be read by all international scanners. If the chip is old and not ISO-certified, you may have problems at the border.
📍 Are you sure it's not GPS? Will I be able to track my pet?
No, no, and no again! ❌
The chip has no battery, SIM card, or internet connection. It's a passive device. It "wakes up" only when a scanner is brought near it and outputs its number. It doesn't transmit geolocation information, whether you're in Kyiv or Paris.
🏢 Where to register and why?
A chip without registration is just numbers. For it to "work," the data must be entered into a database.
In Ukraine, the main database is Animal ID. It includes the following:
🔹 Chip number;
🔹 Pet information (name, breed, color);
🔹 Your contact information (name, phone number, address).
After registration, your pet becomes "visible" to veterinary services and border guards.
🛌 Does the chip require maintenance?
No. None at all.
The chip does not need to be:
🔸 Changed;
🔸 Charged;
🔸 Treated;
🔸 Checked monthly.
It lasts a lifetime. Just be sure to visit your vet before your trip and have it scanned to make sure everything is working properly.
⚠️ Common Owner Mistakes
We've compiled a list of the top 5 most common mistakes:
❌ First a vaccination, then a chip — the vaccination is invalid, start all over again.
❌ Chip not registered — there is a number, but it is not in the database, the animal is "empty".
❌ The number in the passport does not match the database — it happens because of typos, check!
❌ Old non-ISO chip — they may not count at the border. It's better to install a second one and link the entries.
❌ Never checked the chip — what if it's broken? Be sure to scan it before leaving.
📌 Summary: What you need to remember
✅ A microchip is mandatory; you can't do without it.
✅ It's done before vaccinations, not after.
✅ The procedure is like a regular injection, quick and painless.
✅ Registration in the database is mandatory!
✅ It lasts a lifetime and requires no maintenance.
✅ Scan the microchip before leaving.
🐾 Want to get a microchip but don't know where to go? Or are you unsure if yours is suitable for travel?
We'll do absolutely free services:
📍 Recommend the nearest veterinary clinic that installs ISO-standard microchips;
📋 Check if your pet is registered in our database;
🧭 Tell you what to do if your microchip is old and not EU-compliant.
📩 Submit your request and let your ponytail be "visible" all over the world!