What is the primary purpose of a pet’s microchip?

The primary purpose of a pet's microchip is to help locate lost pets and ensure their identification. Microchips are small electronic devices implanted under the skin of animals, typically between the shoulder blades. Each microchip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner. If a pet becomes lost and is found, animal shelters or veterinary clinics can scan the microchip, retrieve the identification number, and access the owner's contact information through a registry, allowing for the pet to be safely returned to its owner.

Other options provided do not accurately reflect the primary function of microchips. For instance, a microchip does not store medical history; that information is typically kept in veterinary records. Additionally, microchips are not designed to track movements in real-time, as they do not have GPS capabilities. Lastly, while they are beneficial in reuniting lost pets with their owners, microchips do not enhance training capabilities. Their main function focuses solely on identification and recovery.