A lost pet can happen fast. A door does not latch. A leash slips. Fireworks or street noise spooks even calm dogs. In busy parts of Fontana, pets can travel farther than you think in minutes.

Microchipping is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to connect a found pet back to you. It does not replace a collar and tag, but it gives your pet a backup ID that cannot fall off.

Schedule your pet's microchip procedure with our Pet Microchipping Services team.

What Jurupa Valley and Fontana Pet Owners Should Know About Microchipping

How microchips work (and what the procedure is like)
A pet microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice. Your veterinarian places it under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The chip is not a GPS tracker. It does not show your pet’s location on a map. Instead, it stores a unique ID number.

When a shelter or veterinary clinic scans your pet with a handheld scanner, the scanner reads that ID number. The ID number connects to your contact details in a microchip registry. If your information is current, the finder can contact you quickly.

What about pain and safety?
Most pets tolerate microchipping very well. The implant process is quick and similar to a vaccine injection. Your pet may feel a brief pinch. Some pets act like nothing happened. Others may be a little sensitive for a short time. As with any procedure that breaks the skin, mild soreness or irritation can happen, but serious problems are considered uncommon. If your pet has had a reaction to injections before or has a complex medical history, ask your veterinarian what to watch for.

Why collars and tags are not enough (Fontana-specific scenarios)
Collars and tags help a lot, and we still recommend them. The problem is that collars can fail in real life. Common situations we see around Fontana and Jurupa Valley include:

• Collars slip off during a panic run. A frightened dog can back out of a loose collar near a park, trail, or busy street.

• Tags break or wear down. Rings bend, tags crack, and numbers fade over time.

• A “good Samaritan” cannot reach you. If a pet is found without a readable phone number, that person may bring them to a shelter or clinic. Without a microchip, staff may have no way to identify the owner.

• Indoor cats get out. Many people assume an indoor cat will stay close. In reality, cats can hide under cars, in garages, or in landscaping for days.

A microchip helps even if your pet loses their collar or someone removes it. It gives shelters and clinics another way to confirm your identity.

Registration steps (and why updates matter so much)
Microchipping only works when the chip is registered and linked to correct contact details. Here is a simple checklist:

1. Confirm the microchip number. Ask for the number at the time of the procedure and keep it in your records.

2. Register it right away. Your veterinary team can tell you which registry to use or help you confirm it was submitted correctly.

3. Add multiple contact methods. Use a primary phone number, a backup phone number, and email if available.

4. Update after any life change. Moving to a new home in Fontana, changing phone numbers, or changing emergency contacts should trigger an update.

5. Check it once a year. Set a calendar reminder. Many microchip companies allow you to log in and confirm details in minutes.

One of the most common reasons microchips fail to reunite pets is simple: the chip is there, but the phone number is old.

Local “stats” and what they really tell us
Pet reunions depend on many things: how fast the pet is found, whether the finder brings the pet to a shelter or clinic, whether the pet is scanned, whether contact info is current, and whether the owner can respond.

San Bernardino County Animal Care posts shelter statistics that include “reunions” (pets reunited with owners). Those numbers do not appear to separate microchip-based reunions from other types of returns, like owner pickup or finder return. Still, the reunion totals show a helpful truth: many pets do make it back home when identification and follow-up line up.

For example, one posted monthly report showed 214 reunions out of 1,634 intakes (about 13%) in September 2025, and another showed 55 reunions out of 490 intakes (about 11%) in January 2026. (Source: San Bernardino County Animal Care statistics page.) Microchipping is not the only factor in reunions, but it can improve the odds that staff can reach you quickly once your pet is scanned.

If you want to be extra prepared, ask your veterinary team how often they see lost pets scanned in local clinics and what details make the biggest difference during a reunion call.

Cost range and insurance considerations (without surprises)
Microchipping is usually priced as a straightforward add-on service in many veterinary hospitals, but the total can vary. Your final cost may depend on:

• Whether the visit includes an exam or other preventive care

• Whether registration is included or handled separately

• Whether your pet needs a calm approach or extra support during the visit

If you have pet insurance, microchipping may be covered under a wellness add-on plan, but many policies treat it as preventive care rather than an illness or injury. The best move is to call your insurer and ask if “microchip implantation” is covered, and whether there is a waiting period or reimbursement limit.

For a clear estimate for your pet, contact Jurupa Hills Animal Hospital and ask what is included, including registration.

Quick tips to get the most protection from a microchip

• Keep your pet’s collar and tag on, even with a microchip. Use both.

• Make sure your pet is scanned at routine visits. This confirms the chip is readable.

• Add an emergency contact who will answer calls during work hours.

• If you adopt a pet with an existing chip, update the registration immediately.

Ready to protect your pet? Microchipping is fast, low-stress for most pets, and can make a big difference if your pet is ever found without a collar.

Visit ourJurupa Hills Animal Hospital  to learn more about preventive care for Fontana pets, or call to schedule your pet’s microchip visit.