Microchipping is a safe, quick, and permanent form of identification that significantly increases the chances of your pet being returned if they’re lost. The chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is placed under the skin and contains a unique ID number linked to your contact information in a national database.

In California, microchipping also serves a legal purpose—because pets are considered property, a registered microchip is one of the most reliable ways to prove legal ownership, especially in the event of a dispute or if your pet ends up in a shelter. It’s also a requirement for international travel, as most countries will not accept pets without a valid, ISO-compliant microchip in place.