A microchip is a great resource as a reactive measure of finding your dog, but unlike a Fi Collar, it is not a GPS device.
A microchip is a small, electronic chip implanted just below the surface of your dog’s skin. When a microchip is scanned, it transmits an identification number. This identification number is then used to look up the contact information linked to the microchip’s manufacturer's registry - but a microchip cannot track a lost dog or provide you with the dog's current location.
The Fi Collar shows the dog's location and if they have escaped in real time.
Microchip |
Fi Collar with Membership |
A microchip is a reactive method when it comes to finding your lost dog. |
The Fi collar with a GPS membership is a proactive method of finding your lost dog. |
The dog must be found. You are not notified if your dog escapes. |
Fi will alert you once your dog leaves any of your designated Safe Zones. |
After the dog is found, you have to rely on the person who found the dog to take the dog to a vet or shelter. |
You do not have to rely on someone taking the dog to a vet or shelter to be notified that your dog has escaped. The alert you receive from Fi notifies you directly and informs you that your dog has gotten out. |
The vet or shelter must have the right model of microchip scanner (corresponding to the manufacturer of the chip itself) to access the contact information associated with the chip. |
The Fi Collar uses GPS and AT&T’s LTE-M network to track your dog’s location and movement at any time. Therefore, you can see your dog's location of where they have wandered off to and where they are heading. |
Finding a lost, microchipped dog could take days, weeks, months, or, unfortunately, may never happen. Relying on a microchip to find your dog leaves you powerless - just hoping someone will find your dog and take them to a safe environment before anything happens to them. |
If your dog is lost wearing the Fi Collar and you have an active membership, you’ll have the information needed to locate them in minutes. |
To learn more about common microchip misconceptions and the differences between microchips and the Fi collar, check out this article from our veterinary expert, Dr. Jeff!