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Archived Message

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
by Jason

Microchiping is necessary!!!!Although many people say microchiping is too painful or inhuman, I find that many just don't want to pay the money. Everyday many pets are lost or have ran away, I work for a vetrinary rescue mission that helps find the lost animals. Where I live in Japan, you are required to have your dog microchiped. In some parts of the U.S. the loose pet list are so high the maximum time your animal can be impounded is for 2 days. Microchiping is an easy process, and is done at most vets in the U.S. I would like to know what you think of microchiping , so please leave your responses.

DISCUSSION:

Here in Canada we have the choice of microchipping or tattooing but it is compulsory to individually identify each puppy before it leaves the breeder's premises. I prefer the tattoos as they are clearly visible to the naked eye and easy to trace back to the breeder. The microchip needs a scanner and not everyone that finds a dog happens to be close to one. Just my .02
-Sylvia

I would like to be able to identify my puppie if it were lost or stolen but with the micro-chip if someone stole her surely it would do no good. My thinking is the tatoo is conspicous and would be easier to identify. What I would like to know is,would it be best to tatoo while she's being spayed.Does anyone know the cost of either method?
-miriam rose

A few weeks ago my neighbor found a teeny toy poodle that was clearly lost and nearly starved (weighed about 3 lb). We took it to the vet and they scanned her for a microchip, but found none. Had there been one, we might have been able to return this little one to her family. As it was, we checked the humane society, but there was no record of anyone looking for a similar lost dog, so finally, we found her a home with someone who had contacted Maltese Rescue but wanted a "very small female, preferably a maltese." She was thrilled with this little girl. One thing I'd like to point out here is that our local humane society is not computerized (if anyone ever gets rich, donate $$ to computerize the humane society nationwide, please!). So they just keep track of such things using "paper and pencil," making it somewhat difficult to track a pet. This is another great reason for micrchipping or tatooing.
-cathy brown

Hi Jason: I think that microchipping is a great idea. It is not compulsory in Australia but most people I know who own dogs have them chipped. All dogs are supposed to be registered with the local council and wear ID tags, but lost dogs have been known to lose their collars so I like the idea of more permanent ID. I have been told that microchipping doesn't hurt them, but I've seen the needle and it's HUGE - so we will get our babies "chipped" when they get "snipped", that way they will be asleep and I know it won't hurt them.
-Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)

Hi, I also live in Australia and have had my little girl microchipped on our first visit to the vet. I also was concerned about the SIZE of the needle. It honestly didn't bother her one bit, she didn't even seem to feel it, unlike her C3 injection.
-Linda

Bewteen the choice of micro and tattoos I would have to say I prefer tatoos. I have all my cats and some of my dogs microchiped. My nasty neighbor captured my cat and took it to the pound (as she does often with any of my cats) normally they notify me due to the microchip. This time no phone call so I didnt thing my cat was at the pound, I was wrong, my cat was put to sleep 7 days after he arrived. The chip had moved and did not show up when scanned. I will only tattoo now.
-trs@pe.net

I live in a small town in the U.S.A and haven't heard of anyone ever microchipping their pets. I see now that this is definately something to consiter. Thanks to everone for the useful input!
-Connie