The Importance of Pet Identification

[Crowe]

Had yet another lost dog wander into our yard, a very sweet chocolate lab. He had his dog license tag and his vet info tag on him. I called the vet who was able to tell us where the dog lived, which was just around the corner. He was just reunited with his peeps. Life is good.

[Oaklevel]

xteacher wrote:

cinscope wrote:
Don't forget to keep the current info on file with the chip company or the chip is no good.

Definitely! I help out with a couple of local rescues, and I can't tell you how many found dogs are chipped, but the information is out of date. With most microchip companies, you have to pay a yearly fee to keep the chip current. Also check your profile on the company's website when you pay the fee, to make sure all the contact information is still correct. My dogs' microchip company (Home Again) notifies me by email when it's time to pay the yearly fee.).

You do know you do not have to pay the Home Agains annual fee they will keep the dog registered. I only paid the first year on each dog they still email me from time to time. I bought the girls Home Again tags 3 years later..... A vet recently checked Sadie's, it was current 5 years after only paying the first year. Your pet is registered for life you just do not get all of their services. And Yes I did check to see that their information was current and correct.

[dturm]

Uppercrust wrote:
My dogs are chipped only problem I do not remember through what company it has been 7 years. I will have to find their adoption (sshh don't tell them they are adopted) papers. They also have id tags on their collar. One tag tells what kind of camper for in a campground and my cell number.

Next time you go in to your vet, have them scan them. Most readers now will read the number (it won't tell you what company) and the numbers are unique, you should be able to find the company through one of the lookup services.

[Uppercrust]

My dogs are chipped only problem I do not remember through what company it has been 7 years. I will have to find their adoption (sshh don't tell them they are adopted) papers. They also have id tags on their collar. One tag tells what kind of camper for in a campground and my cell number.

[Billinwoodland]

dturm wrote:
AAHA has started a universal microchip lookup service Pet microchip lookup

Another private company is attempting to unify databases Check the chip

Not all companies have yearly fees. There are some that do a single lifetime registration, but do have charges for changes in address or ownership.

Doug, DVM

Good for AAHA. A great example of a professional organization standing up for pet owners without trying to nickle and dime them.

[dturm]

AAHA has started a universal microchip lookup service Pet microchip lookup

Another private company is attempting to unify databases Check the chip

Not all companies have yearly fees. There are some that do a single lifetime registration, but do have charges for changes in address or ownership.

Doug, DVM

[xteacher]

cinscope wrote:
Don't forget to keep the current info on file with the chip company or the chip is no good.

Definitely! I help out with a couple of local rescues, and I can't tell you how many found dogs are chipped, but the information is out of date. With most microchip companies, you have to pay a yearly fee to keep the chip current. Also check your profile on the company's website when you pay the fee, to make sure all the contact information is still correct. My dogs' microchip company (Home Again) notifies me by email when it's time to pay the yearly fee.

Having the dog wear an I.D. tag on his/her collar is also a good idea, but it's not fool proof. Many dogs lose their collars when they get loose (snag them on bushes, get into a fight with another dog, etc.).

[summerhouse]

Our choc lab has dog tags with both our cell numbers, his rabies tag, and is chipped. Can't have too many safety nets!

[colliehauler]

My Collie's being rescues are all chipped. With that said I have had one Collie, Bud that took off during a thunderstorm (before I knew he was afraid of thunderstorms). Bud also got out at the seasonal site.

All 3 times Bud got away people called my cell number on Bud's collar. I had a tag made that said,

Reward
620-xxx-xxxx

I have never had a collie returned because of a chip. I still get them chipped in case they lose their collar.

[Murphsmom]

The chip was one of the first things we did when we adopted Ollie. He also wears a collar with his ID, license and rabies tag, but we all know how easily they can slip out of those collars.

[cinscope]

Don't forget to keep the current info on file with the chip company or the chip is no good.

[Halmfamily]

Both of our babies are chipped, hopefully will never need to use it.

[gbopp]

We have a chipped Chihuahua. Just in case.

[Dog_Folks]

Glad it worked out with only tags.

Over 90% of pets running loose are NOT wearing a collar when found. Make sure you chip them.

True story of how well a chip can work: When I was an animal control officer I got a call in my zone of a dog running loose. I arrived at the scene in less than ten minutes. Contained the dog, read the chip with reader on my truck.

Called dispatch and they called the chip company. The dog was missing from an address right around the corner. Drove there and knocked on the door. I asked the owner if she knew where her dog was.

“On the back porch.” She replied. I asked her to check and she returned in a minute with a white face and said:” He’s gone!” I replied: “I know. He is in my truck.”

The total time the dog was lost? About 15 minutes! I did not ticket the owner.


Please chip your dogs. Chips do not get lost.