Microchipping

[franp]

On another list there was a posting in regards to a stolen Frenchie. And several years ago, Dari's breeder had a bitch stolen..

The ONLY reason Libby was returned to Bill after the police were directed to the home she was in ,was because of the microchip. He could NOT prove that the people who had her stole her( we think they did) but they could NOT deny who she REALLY belonged to.They took her from a yard with a TEN foot privacy fence.

Tags fall off collars; tattoos fade or can be changed; Microchips are the ONLY foolproof identification that there is.

The original chips moved; the new ones don't.The chip does not hurt to insert,I have seen it done.It takes one minute; like a vaccination.

If your breeder has not chipped your dog;ask your Vet , If your Vet does not then find one who does.And use Avid or Home again.. I believe Petland or one of the large chains has a chip;DO NOT USE IT. No ones scanner can read it.

If your dog ever gets out or stolen; the microchip is a foolproof way to prove that it is YOUR dog.Our dogs are VERY popular; people ARE stealing them..

[adora's mom]

Very good post Fran!

One of the large veterinary chains that was using their own brand of microchip was Banfield, located in PetSmart stores. I'm not sure if there were chains that did the same thing.

Both of my dogs had their chips implanted there. If anyone had their microchips implanted during the time that they were using the Banfield brand microchip and received a letter in the mail saying that only certain scanners would work - don't panic! I was very upset when I got that letter from Banfield (re: Beckham - they were using these chips about a year ago when he was chipped). Our vet said that her clinic only had implanted 2 of the Banfield brand microchips and they were not widely distributed. They regularly use the HomeAgain brand of microchips - which is luckily what Beckham and Adora both have. If you are concerned, please check the paperwork that came with the microchip tag to see which brand you received. Also, double check with your vet *before* microchipping a new dog to verify they are using either Avid or HomeAgain.

[franp]

Thanks Lesly; Petsmart was the chain. I just could not remeber the name.

[frenchiesmom]

I agree completely. I use Avid. Franp is right in all that she says in her post. It is a very simple procedure, totally painless and and the only foolproof way for identification. The only problem I have seen is the availability of scanners in small rural areas such as I am in. Though many breeders will also have a scanner. Most around here use the Avid system.

frenchiesmom

[franp]

You know that the companies will supply the shelters with scanners for FREE? That is right; Homeagain and AVID with give shelters scanners at NO cost.

So, for those of you that live in areas that have no scanners; maybe the shelters are not aware.

I called a shelter on Long Island; they did not know that they could the scanner until I told them.
I was amazed that they did not have one and asked why.When they found out they did not have to pay, they were thrilled.

[evangelie]

I agree completely about getting your dogs chipped. This is just plain common sense nowadays. ;)

[WhitneysMom]

Whit was chipped today with a HomeAgain chip I am registering online right now. I know this is an older thread but I did not want to start another relating to this topic because this is a great thread. Having her microchipped makes my feel a little bit better about that terrible possibility of someone taking her like the terrible event that just happened to nmorgan's Imanta (with a happy ending may I add). These things are terrible and like Fran said this could be your only solid foolproof way of your proof of ownership! I am at a greater ease today. I love chips!!!! almost as much as my furbabies! :D

[Carolyn]

Whitneysmom....GOOD for you!!! I hope everyone on this list has taken care of this very important part of owning a Frenchie. A couple of years ago my brother and his family were driving to Lake Tahoe on vacation. They were driving out in the middle of nowhere when they saw a dog sitting by the side of the road. They stopped, took the dog, drove to the nearest town and turned it in to the local shelter. Several days later they received a phone call full of thanks and tears from a very happy owner who was reunited with her pup because of the microchip. She had NO idea how the dog ended up on the highway so far from home. Carolyn