You don't need to remove the microchip. If a dog is chipped and sold to someone else, you send in an update of new ownership and all new information as to the new owner . The wand as it is called you turn it on and scan the entire body. if the dog is chipped it will read the number out and you call the recovery number depending on which chip it is and they will tell you who the vet is who the emer. contact is aand the owner. Its a great way to locate missing pets There is to be a new chip coming out that if your pet is missing, you call a number and they send out a signal and it will locate the area your pet is in within 30 feet. I am trying to find out about it. will update when I do.