SearchMicrochipping
I haven't seen this any where yet... Or if I have I have overlooked it...But what is everyones thoughts on microchipping? I was thinking about having my pup microchipped but wasn't sure if it is really worth it seeing as how if I am not with my puppy my hubby will be.
I say it is an absolute must! It does two things...if your dog every gets loose sneaks out of the front door, escapes the yard etc. then he/she will have identification wherever they go. Secondly, if someone ever steals your pup you have absolute proof that he/she belongs to you. To me the any extra steps you can take to bring your animal back to you is well worth the 50$ and the heartache that goes along with losing a family member.
There's no reason not to get the chip. I've explained this to people: The chip is nothing more than a number, sort of like the tattoo - except you need a scanner to read it, sort of like groceries. When you scan an item at the grocery store, the scanner reads the UPC code (those vertical lines of varying width and space) which essentially is a number.
Instead of printed lines, the micro chip is an integrated circuit. It functions like a little radio that has no power until it's being scanned. The scanner emits radio energy, which powers the chip, which emits the the energy back in the form of a signal that describes the dog's unique identification number. You then have to look the number up in a database to find the owner associated with it.
I've heard people worry before that someone could track you or the dog because it has a chip, like Lojack - a beacon. That's silly. 
A beacon emits a remotely trackable signal, which requires a power supply. So if you're not replacing any batteries in you dog - you're safe from spy satellites. 
I like the idea of requiring breeders to chip all puppies. You could determine ownership of an abused dog more easily then.
Mixed emotions and very selfish ones at that..
Sofia was not chipped.. had she been, we might have found her owners. Had she been, we would not have her now. Or worst case scenario, I would be in jail for some kind of threat real or imagined by her owners for letting her go!!
They do not chip in Baja.. and they have no way of scanning for one.. Vet tried to feel if indeed she was.. he could not..
Yes, I certainly think chipping is as important as any inoculation.. Dogs have a Houdini way of escaping.. I know all of you watch yours like hawks... but why not have the peace of mind and as Glengate said.. ** Just in case**
Thanks. I was still thinking about having it done *just in case* but I like to hear what other people think as well. :) And I think in the location I am in its like an extra 25.00 If that ...
As someone who has been active with rescue in the past, we certainly have tracked Dobermans who have come in via their chip to either their owners or their breeders.
My thoughts on 'chipping is that it is not as effective as a simple name tag riveted to a dog's collar. For a name tag to work properly an honest person must find your dog and read the tag. For 'chipping to work properly an honest person must find your dog, take the dog to a vet or animal shelter that has a chip reader. Many people are unaware of 'chipping and not seeing a tag would simple let the dog continue on it's way. So you would still want a name tag as well as a 'chip.
Neither a tag nor a chip will work if someone intentionally steals your dog, unless animal control somehow comes into possession of your dog at a future date.
Of course on the other hand, if your dog is lost and you didn't have him 'chipped you will never know if 'chipping might have led to his return to you.
Got Shelbi microchipped. My trainer volunteers at the local humane society and had it done for $10.00. My Aunt and Uncle had a Dobey for 6 years before it was stolen and it was returned via "chip" 6 months later, but the people that took him had tried to make him a fighting dog and had ruined him. His personality was never the same and he became very mean and aggressive even toward them. They ended up having to put him down after he got into some yard chemicals that were poisonous, but they never did get their dog back they got back what someone turned him into. My Aunt and Uncle live in Montgomery County, Maryland.
That is an unfortunate story. That is also one reason that I never leave mine outside when I am not home.
That's said that people out there would do that to a dog. I hate people like that. I was talking to a friend of mine today about me getting a doberman, she said that was cool. And continued to talk about how she wanted a pit but was scared to get one. But like I told her its about how you raise them as wella s getting from a respectable breeder.
According to my uncle it was used on the lawn and he waited the period of time recommended on the package before leting him back out. He even treated the front lawn and back lawn at seperate times so that he could be outside. However, as it turns out he still was able to pick up enough of it that it effected his liver. The vet said that it would be almost impossible to link the poisoning with the chemical, so my Aunt and Uncle just took him home and laid him to rest.
When I said it was sad that people would that to a dog I meant about the people stealing and then trynig to train it to fight. People like that need to be shot. I love animals and I would NEVER try to train one to fight with another. I was sorry to hear about the loss of the dog. Thats sad.
I've heard a chip can get a dog into trouble too. If taken to the pound, the first time, the dog will be scanned and returned. Unfortunately, the chip can be a "death trap" (for lack of better wording) and if scanned a second time, they can just put the dog down because the owners are then deemed "irresponsible". :/ I guess it just depends on where you live. What I would do is first find out what the deal is with that. It's not worth it if it can get your dog put down.
If I learned that was the rule and I had the dog microchipped, then I would have the chip removed after it had been picked up. I would then have another vet install a second different code chip.
I had posted in another thread about a Fawn female that I had loaned to my niece and one reason was that Heidi had been picked up by Lynchburg, Va Animal Control twice after getting out of my back yard. Each time I had to go to court on her, and on the second the Judge warned me that a third time would get her banned from the city. So, I got her away from the city for a while. Actually during this time I finalized a move across the river to Amherst County so when I returned Heidi from Texas, it was to a new home outside Lynchburg. I was planning the move anyway, I just had to get her relocated before I was ready to relocate me.
Now that all my dogs are inside when I am gone, I don't have near as many problems in that area.
Since I'm in Canada, all of our dogs must be either tattooed or microchipped by the breeder before leaving home. As it happens, I do both. I've never lost a dog, and I'm really not the kind of person who ever would in all likelihood, but it's a nice safeguard to have *just in case*.