What Do You Think About Microchipping?

It is unfortunately very true that if someone steals your dog, you will probably not get them back no matter what you try.  The microchip is great though if your dog gets out and someone finds them that wants to return them.  Or if they get picked up by animal control and they have a scanner.  The microchip helps people find you when they've found your dog.  It can't come loose or fall off like a collar can.

Also, I'm not sure about how easy it is to change contact info on a microchip, but I know our vet office does a chip scan of new dogs.  So if someone stole a dog, and our vet scanned the chip and looked up the info, they might be able to tell that the dog didn't belong to the person who said it did.  For whatever that's worth. 
 
Otherwise, it's just a good idea to have for dogs who get lost.  As careful as you are with your pets, there's always a *chance* that they'll get loose. I think it's cheap insurance for a little peace of mind.  All our pets are chipped.
 
You can, however, get GPS units for your dog.   They're on collars, so again it won't work if someone steals the dog. But there are companies that track pets. []

You do raise a good point, but dogs can be incredible escape artists so a chip will help if your dog ever manages to get out.  My dog is being chipped next Monday, and one of the reasons he is is that I have this theory -
 
If someone, god forbid, ever were to steal my dog, whether to keep for themselves or to sell on, at some point he would possibly be taken to a vet.  If the vet asks whether or not the dog is chipped and they say they don't know (for example, if they lie and say they found him) the vet will scan my dog to check, or to avoid the dog being chipped twice.  It is then the vet will discover that Ben is registered to me, and would hopefully investigate the matter.  Also anyone who would steal a dog, in my opinion, is not above abandoning it when it has outlived it's usefulness....if he is picked up and taken to a shelter he would be scanned then.  This might be years down the road after he was taken, but would at least up the chances that I would, if not get my dog back (I hope!) at least get some closure.
 
I may be seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses, but Ben is a pedigree black labrador and they are in demand here.  Having him chipped will help me sleep better at night.  I do understand that everyone's circumstances are different, and everyone will hold different opinions on the subject, so you do have to decide what makes the most sense for you.  I know, for me personally, that if I chose not to get him chipped and something happened I would never forgive myself.
 
Kate

I had Molly chipped cause we hike and I want the peace of mind.
Rescue story - a siamese cat recently found my a good sam was placed into Siamese Rescue and rehomed. SR doesn't have a chip scanner so their protocol was to not scan as most of the cats taken in are from kill shelters and the shelters scan (if they have a scanner).
When the cat was vetted prior to going to his new home a scan was done - lo and behold a chip was found. The cat was reunited with its very anxious owners...they had been looking for the cat for months. It had been hanging around someone's house and that person contacted rescue.
They have had a couple of stories like this so now scanning is a must with a cat on their first vet visit unless it's an owner giveup.
So they do work

Thanks, folks--you've convinced me of the value of chipping even if doing so will not necessarily prevent their theft.
 
 

On the very sick and scary topic of having your dog stolen from you..  If it were to happen and you needed to prove ownership to get your dog back - that's your proof.   I think everyone should get their dogs chipped - there's no reason not to.  
 
I agree that it would be fantastic to have GPS chips - when they do have trackable chips for pets, I will definitely be getting Slick one! 

Those dogs are cuuuute!  I love airedales, and have a lab.  I don't envy you those curly coats, though!
 
Kate

ORIGINAL: Benedict

Those dogs are cuuuute!  I love airedales, and have a lab.  I don't envy you those curly coats, though!

Kate

 
Thanks, Kate!  Is that Benedict in the left?  He looks like a magnificent dog.
 
Yeah, the coats are quite a lot of work, and long ago I gave up the fantasy that once--just one lousy time--Mojo would think to himself, "gee, I oughtta stay outta that mud puddle, they just gave me a bath...."
 
Regards,
 
Seth
 

Seth,
 
Hehe no, that's just a stock avatar.  My Ben is just a puppy, but here he is - this was taken today.  He will be a magnificent dog, though - and he's growing fast!
 
Kate
 
 

The contact info is very easy to chang on a chip. All the chip is, is a number given to that dog, the number is like a barcode where the main information is stored on a computer at wherever the main microchip center is located. A vet calls gives them the number and then they give the vet the dogs info. To change you just call them and from there you can change any info you want on it. I had to do that when I adoped Georgis because her last owners already microchiped her before giving her up, now all my information is connected to her micro # so if anything happens I will be the one called first.

I really belive chipping is a wonderful idea. I have heard a storie about a cat lost in Californa and then found in Florida, it had a chip and was able to be reconnected to his owners in Cali. 5 years after it was lost.

I say microchipping is the way to go. Sasha, our newly adopted shepherd is an escape artist. While playing outside the other day she got a little wet, and her collar just came off. (which has her tags on it). Luckily, if she does escape and her collar just happens to pop off, I have the microchip to rely on.

Kate-
 
He really is beautiful.
 
I was never much of a lab person til we got Mojo, who of course is a cross between a poodle and lab.  (I grew up with lots and lots of dogs, mostly collies or collie-mixes..)
 
Now, I really appreciate the attributes of both poodles and labs, and can't imagine myself ever having anything other than a mix of these breeds.  The incredible athleticism and intelligence (from both breeds) is just amazing. 
 
Mojo is incredible at fetch, swimming, frisbee, hunting (we don't hunt, but he sure does!) and yet when it's time to chill out and hang out, he's totally cool.
 
What does Emma, our Airedale, excel at?  Lots of things--she's destroyed walls, couches, cabinets, a good chunk of our garage, plants, a table leg, and this morning I stopped her as she was chewing voraciously on the cement footings of our deck.  She's really very versatile!
 
Seth
 

Seth, thank you.
 
Labs and poodles are known for their intelligence.  It can sometimes act against you - I swear sometimes Ben actively tries to outsmart me, lol.  But if they are well-trained and well-mannered, both breeds can be fabulous dogs.  I have never owned a poodle or poodle mix, but I do love them.
 
Your airedale sounds....uhm.....creative!  I think some dogs have a stronger chewing instinct than others, but life would be boring if all dogs were the same.
 
Thanks for sharing pics of your lovely dogs!
 
Kate

To change you just call them and from there you can change any info you want on it. I had to do that when I adoped Georgis because her last owners already microchiped her before giving her up, now all my information is connected to her micro # so if anything happens I will be the one called first.

 
 
FWIW, I meant change the info if the change of ownership is not legitimate.  For example, Bella's rescue group has to call the microchip company to get our information transferred, so I assumed it was because they are the registered owner. And, as non-registered owner, we can't just change the info.  So, you're saying that if I found a chipped dog, all I would have to do is call the company and change the info??  That seems kind of stupid on the microchip company's part to me.