I got Princess & Turbo micro-chipped when they were awake
. The vet tech took them to the back, so I have no idea how they did, but they assured me that they did fine. No whimper or scream or anything that I could hear.
I even touched the area a couple of times & it didn't seem to bother them @ all.
The needle that they use to insert the microchip is very sharp, so it goes in easily & painlessly. They have Home Again chips. I don't pay the annual fee for the xtra services, just paid once.