Microchip???

I have 2 puppies, which are both micro-chipped, it is not surgical the vet can do it in the office, it is injected through a shot in the back of the neck, and cost's about $40 - $50 depending on the vet's office you go to. It's a great thing to do. :-)

 Nah, it's a shot between the shoulder blades and not too expensive at all.  I've found vet's offices seem to charge the most.  If you watch for an event at a training facility or shelter/SPCA, the cost can be greatly reduced.  Well worth it too.  For a nominal fee, you can register any microchip with CAR (Companion Animal Recovery) and it doesn't have to be renewed yearly like some other services. 

http://www.akccar.org/enroll/index.cfm 

ETA: Didn't mean to contradict you Ericka, the Nah was directed at whether it was surgical or expensive.   

 We have always microchipped our pets. Now a days, it is standard practice for shelters and vets to scan for a chip when they get a stray in. I'm sure its a painful procedure, but only for a moment and the benefit is worth every once of pain.

Keep an eye out for microchip events. Check with your local humane society as well . . . we just got our second dog done for $11. 

Check with your local animal shelter/animal control. Usually they will charge a LOT less than your vet. We hold clinics at the shelter I work at a few times a year - and have $15 microchiping.

I work as a tech and I microchip all the time. It's quick, and most dogs don't even seem to notice it!

 there was an event here a few weeks ago and the AKC chipping was just $10 and very quick

My friend had her two 10lb doxie pups done

Once you have the dog microchipped, you have to register the chip number.  The chip will be useless if it's not linked to your name, address, phone no., etc. If I remember right, that was about $17 and I just let the vet do it so I wouldn't go home and forget about it.

Joyce

It depends on what company you use.

24petwatch registers automatically through our computer system - no charge. AVID charges a fee - and I'm not sure about homeagain (I don't think they do, but I'm not sure). I have all my pets registered through the shelter computer, even though one has an AVID chip. He's registered to the shelter I got him from - and they have my information (and I work for them....).

Microchip concerns:

• readability by different scanners
• travel to other countries
• registration fee (yearly?)
• costs for database changes
• database availability for locating owners?
• hours for phone help in locating owners?
• database owner provides recovery aid and/or medical insurance for lost dogs?

AVID does charge a registration fee, but it is a one time thing.  It costs $6.00 to make later changes to the database (by phone or by mail).  If you might be traveling out of the country, AVID's TravelChip might be a good choice.  It is usable in the U.S. and overseas.

HomeAgain offers some recovery aid and some medical insurance for lost dogs, but they also charge a yearly fee or you don't even stay in the database.  I don't know what they charge to make changes.

AVID and HomeAgain use 125 kHz microchips.  All U.S. scanners are designed to read the 125 kHz microchips.  Some read only 125 kHz.

The AKC CAR microchip (from Trovan - a European manufacturer) is 128 kHz, so some scanners may not be able to read it.  I have no idea what percentage of scanners might have problems.  Database updates are free.

Compatibility Table of Which Scanner can Read Which Chips

janet_rose

Microchip concerns:

• readability by different scanners
• travel to other countries
• registration fee (yearly?)
• costs for database changes
• database availability for locating owners?
• hours for phone help in locating owners?
• database owner provides recovery aid and/or medical insurance for lost dogs?

 

All really good points of note to mention when getting a microchip.  Our cat was microchipped at our vet's office, although by looking at some of the above prices paid for a chip, seems like we paid a wee bit on the high end at $80.00.   It's a piece of mind knowing that you pet is protected, and as an added bonus, some pet insurance companies offer discounts on their policies if your pet is microchipped.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Once you have the dog microchipped, you have to register the chip number.  The chip will be useless if it's not linked to your name, address, phone no., etc. If I remember right, that was about $17 and I just let the vet do it so I wouldn't go home and forget about it.

Joyce

SECOND THIS!  Thankfully our breeder just took our registration money for the microchip and sent it out herself since in the past her puppy buyers would forget to send the registration fee in themselves.

I had Molly chipped when she was spayed and I think I paid about $20. She has Avid.

I think rescue uses 24petwatch with the fosters...I don't know the cost cause they send them to us in bulk for insertion during the foster's health check. No registration fee which is why they use that company

Both of my boys have the Home Again chip.  Kaiser came with it (his breeder requires it and charged $45) and I just finally had Luke done a few weeks ago at his last appointment (my vet charged $40).

Because I wasn't there for Kaiser's, I can't tell you how the little guy reacted.  Luke let out a soft yelp when he's usually quiet for shots, so it must hurt a fair bit.  Only for a second, though -- after that they are fine, so it's worth it, IMO.

My Vet uses resQ. and registers on PetLink no annual fee.  I haven't had to use it  thank goodness but my Vet checked all options before he started Micro Chipping.  He and his staff are abosolutely wonderful, I am confident that his choice was a good one.

Rocky's micro chipping was included in the puppy package along with all the other "puppy" stuff, lol.