Does anyone here microchip their pets?

[wildeyed]

I was considering it, but then someone told me that there were three different microchip companies, so if the company that picked up your animal had the equipment form a different manufacturer, it wouldn't read your chip.

So is this worthwhile? I would do it in a second if I thought it would help safeguard my animal. But I don't want to throw money away if it is not effective.

[livetohike]

1. Cindy and Murphy were adopted and microchipped

at the shelter. The microchips are from Avid (1-800-336-2843).

I know that if I move, I will have to call the company to change our address and phone number.

I hope the chip will be adequate if Cindy and Murphy should ever get lost.

[sazemisery]

2. the majority of shelters have more than one reader

Avid has come out as the leader in this technology. I have all my animals microchipped.

[China_cat]

3. 2 of mine are chipped

The Avid chip reader (which they supplied free to shelters and rescue groups) will read every chip made.

[Lorien]

4. Definitely! For the reason I posted to all those evacuating

from the storm:

"I work for a pet rescue group in Central Florida. Last year, we were hit by three hurricanes, which was a real learning experience. Most (human) shelters do not accept pets, so many pet owners simply left their animals at home. When the storms blew out windows or when trees knocked out walls, the pets ran and often never returned. Animal shelters were inundated with found dogs and cats. IF THE ANIMALS WERE NOT MICROCHIPPED OR WEARING IDENTIFICATION, THEY WERE DESTROYED WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE SHELTER. The shelters had simply run out of room, and that was their policy.

Please, please put a collar on your pets with ID NOW-even if you are evacuating with them."

[wildeyed]

5. I always have a collar with ID on my pets.

I am definitely going to have them chipped as well, after reading this thread. It is easy for the collar to get snagged on something, then dog slips out of it.

[smurfygirl]

6. yes, I also use AVID

and recommend everyone have their pets chipped. Collars get lost or somehow they always seem to run off when their collars are off. All of my dogs can easily slip their collars off. And cats in general usually don't take well to collars.

[Coventina]

7. Sarah is chipped with Avid. n/t

[Eurobabe]

8. My two new guys were microchipped by shelter

I think the company is Home Again.

[kdmorris]

9. Mine are chipped

and tagged. That is probably my third most horrifying nightmare (after losing my husband or my children). That any of my animals (any of the 8) would be lost during a hurricane and scared without us. It's mainly my cat or 2 dogs that could get away. The rabbits and guinea pigs are secured in cages.

During Frances, our 2 year old Shepard mix was so scared, she just kept pacing and barking at the windows, like she could do anything about the wind howling. Without us here to calm her down, I can just imagine how hard it would have been for her. And she's my baby, that one. She thinks I'm her mother. She is, without a doubt, the best Christmas present I've ever gotten.