The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) strongly advocates the permanent identification of all cats, regardless of their lifestyle, via microchip implantation.
Implanted microchips cannot be lost nor altered and offer the most reliable method of reuniting cats separated from their owners/caregivers. Microchip implantation should be performed by a veterinarian or appropriately trained personnel. Stress and discomfort associated with microchip implantation can be mitigated by respectful handling and distraction, use of topical analgesic agents, or performing in conjunction with another procedure requiring sedation or anesthesia.
The AAFP strongly supports the adoption of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for microchipping, and the use of the one-stop microchip search tool encompassing most major brands of microchips. The AAFP opposes the use of scanners incapable of detecting all microchip frequencies.
Essential record keeping/verification of microchip information
- Current owner/caregiver contact information should be updated by the veterinary practice or trained personnel at the time of implantation or pet adoption and not left to the owner to complete.
- Microchip numbers are a vital part of a cat’s medical history and must be included in the medical record.
- Microchip scanning to verify functionality should be included at any visit to the veterinary practice to confirm the current contact information is accurate.
These represent the minimum recommendations.
The AAFP strongly supports the adoption of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for microchipping, and the use of the one-stop microchip search tool encompassing most major brands of microchips. The AAFP opposes the use of scanners incapable of detecting all microchip frequencies.
This Position Statement updates and replaces: 2007 Identification of Cats
© Feline Veterinary Medical Association, 2025