It’s very unusual to have a chip removed, and hardly ever necessary – but it can be done with the appropriate anaesthetic and surgery.

The microchip is only activated when a scanner is passed over it, otherwise the chip is completely inert. When a scanner passes, the chip emits electromagnetic waves, causing it to transmit a unique radio signal back to the scanner.  It’s very quick, and completely harmless to your pet. If your pet is lost, the person scanning the chip can read your pet’s unique identity code and use this to trace their owner (you) – by referring to the database.

Whilst the microchip may work with some microchip operated cat flaps, the purpose of the microchip is for identification and reunification of the pet with its owner.