Microchipping

[davegreen2000]

Hi,

We've got two cats that we're about to start letting out of the house soon but I'm concerned about them getting lost or running away. Is microchipping worth it? Will it cost a lot and does it hurt the cats much? Do you have to pay every year to keep them on record, and do all VETs have access to the same register of animals? I'm in Wakefield so if anyone has any recommendations for where to get it done i'd be very grateful.

Thank you. Dave.

[Jon]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the question! It's a huge benfit for all owners to get their pets microchipped. All veterinary practises, wardens, shelters and charities have the same 'chip reader' linked to a national database and get access to the details by simply running a scanner over the area where the implant is made. This is generally just behind the scruff of the neck. It doesn't harm the animal and is approximately the size of a grain of rice.

Prices vary and it can cost between £10.00 and £30.00 - it's a relatively simple process.

What it does give you is extra peace of mind, due to the fact that if your pet is handed in, they can automatically find you!

We aim to find your pets before this even takes place, due to us having a large database of users, keeping their eyes peeled for any sitings.

All the best,

Jon

[Huskysmum]

It really is worth getting your pets micro-chipped. It is the easiest way of returning a lost pet to its owner.
I am a volunteer for a charity called Friends of Akitas and if only ALL dogs/cats were chipped it would make our job a lot easier.

[Jon]

Thanks for the above post and Huskymum is right!

It's imperative that all Dog and Cat owners get their pets chipped. From the last Dog's Trust survey that was conducted, 31% of dogs reunited with their owners were microchipped. The amount of time, effort and expense that was saved for this proportion was immense.

Thanks for contributing to the Forum Huskymum.

If you'd like to discuss how we can help with your lost / found / adoption processes, send me a quick email to info@lostpetlocator.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to help.

Kind Regards,

Jon

[netty061]

We got our cats (sadly only one now) from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and they microchip all dogs and cats before they leave the premises. I think the cost is included in the set donation/fee for the animal you take home. Its a great idea, especially as there is only one data base - my cat is always losing either his collar or his name tag so its extra backup.

[NUTDogwarden]

I would highly reccomend getting any pet Microchipped.

If you are a dog owner contact you local council to see if they are running any Microchipping schemes which can help greatly with the price

[Jon]

Thanks Tom,

You're comments are greatly appreciated. This is fantastic advice from an expert in the field and if there are any of you out there who don't have your pet microchipped, you know where to look!

If you do adopt a pet from a shelter, the cost is generally included in the 'donation' price as mentioned above.

[NUTDogwarden]

It makes both the Shelters and my life much easier if a dog is Microchipped. In most cases the dog is returned to the owner within the same day its found. Which obviously eases a lot of the stress.

As an Example of Council Schemes, we microchip dogs in Newcastle for £4! So I'll stress again please get your dogs chipped!!