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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Payment is due when services are rendered at All Creatures Pet Hospital. We accept all major credit cards and offer Care Credit for your convenience.

Heartworms have been diagnosed in all fifty states and are especially prevalent in warmer climates found in Alabama. Heartworms can be transmitted to dogs and cats by the bite of a mosquito infected with immature heartworms. If the dog or cat is not protected by a heartworm preventative, the worms can mature, eventually damage the heart and lungs, and cause death if left untreated. Please remember that heartworm preventatives are always less expensive and more effective than heartworm treatments. Dr. Ted Hankes attends conferences and lectures throughout the country to stay current and ensure that All Creatures Pet Hospital offers the safest and most effective products here at our pharmacy, including heartworm preventatives. Please call one of our caring veterinary team members at (205) 947-4083 and schedule a heartworm-preventative appointment for your companion.

Dr. Ted Hankes recommends spaying or neutering all pets not being used for breeding purposes. Sterilization not only prevents unwanted litters but can also prevent certain reproductive cancers later in their lives. Puppies and kittens can be spayed between four and six months of age. Our pets feel pain the same way people do, therefore, we administer pain medication to keep them comfortable during and after the procedure. Additionally, blood work is needed to help determine if your puppy or kitten is healthy enough for the procedure. Please call All Creatures Pet Hospital to schedule your furry friend for a spay or neuter as soon as they are old enough for the surgery.

Proper nutrition and portion control are as important for our pet companions as they are for us. Overweight pets face the same conditions as people, including arthritis, joint pain, diabetes, and heart disease, for example. Dr. Hankes can evaluate your pet to determine their individual nutritional needs, as well as the proper portions to maintain a healthy body weight. Affordable prescription diets are available at our hospital for your convenience. Schedule an appointment for your furry friend regardless of their life stage or current health condition.

Like people, pets need dental care for overall health. Without it, bacteria can cause tooth decay, gum damage, and may harm organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Dr. Hankes recommends dental care starting at age one to help prevent disease, improve health, and avoid costly future treatments. Contact our team at All Creatures Pet Hospital to schedule your pet's dental appointment.

In many species, one animal year equals about seven human years. A seven-year-old dog missing the vet for three years is like a 49-year-old person skipping the doctor for 21 years. At All Creatures Pet Hospital, we recommend yearly exams and blood work unless your pet is sick or has a special condition. Caring for your pet early can reduce future medications and may extend their life. Call us at (205) 947-4083 to schedule your pet's yearly visit.