Microchip Works

RonE · 10-03-2008, 08:23 PM

Molly got the Home Again microchip when she was spayed about a year ago.

Today, while I was a work and my wife and dogs were home, we were having some landscaping done. My wife didn't realize, when she let the dogs out, that the landscaper had left a large gate open.

Esther was diverted by a serious need to pee, but Molly made a dash for the open gate and was gone in a flash. For once, Esther didn't follow her and Molly had no collar or tags on.

My wife called shortly before I left work to tell me that Molly was MIA. 15 minutes later, she got a call from the shelter/pound in our county. Molly was a guest there and they had pulled her info from her chip before I even got home to call them.

In fairness, I would have called them when I got home, but what if she had ended up at a vet - maybe hurt - or another pound or shelter. (She can cover a lot of ground in a hurry.)

Thinking about whether to microchip your dog? Just do it.

BTW, when I brought Molly home, Esther acted like she hadn't seen her in weeks. I sometimes think Esther must get kind of sick of Molly and her over-exuberance, but she clearly adores her..

winniec777 · 10-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Thank goodness you got your girl back! And thanks for posting about the chip. We just had it done last week. I agree -- it's definitely worth it.

Twinney · 10-03-2008, 08:28 PM

Yeah, Kola got microchipped today, and spayed (and I'm anxiously waiting to have her back). The other two are going in within the next month for their microchips. My dad snorted 'who cares if they get lost? the .... microchip isn't worth the money anyways.'

Good thing Molly had her microchip in. A dog MIA is by far one of the scariest things in the world. Hopefully you'll never have to use it again.

Sugar Daddy Otis · 10-03-2008, 08:28 PM

I'm glad you got her back safely and quickly, Ron- I got Otis microchipped already and Ella will be getting hers soon. Hopefully I will never have to use it, but it's always nice to know there's a bit more of a chance to get them back!

AirForceAngel · 10-03-2008, 08:31 PM

There have been so many amazing stories about pets being reuinted with their owners thanks to mcirochips. I always recommend that any owner get them, no matter how well their dog is trained or emotionally bonded to them.

You never know when it will come in handy.

RonE · 10-03-2008, 08:49 PM

On the way home from the shelter, Molly and I stopped at the small local dogpark. We hadn't been there since Esther chomped on a small, annoying dog that kept snapping at her, and Molly has never been there without Esther.

She's not nearly as bold without her big sister around. She spent a lot of time with her tail between her legs or with herself standing between MY legs. A couple of dogs scared her, but weren't really nasty, and all I could think was, "You'd probably be leaving her alone if her big sister were here."

Molly was probably thinking that, too.

Mac'N'Roe · 10-03-2008, 09:33 PM

I'm so glad Molly got home safely. While we are on the subject, just a reminder that in addition to getting the chip installed...make sure you register the chip once you get it. I have to admit I haven't done this yet for Mac'n'Roe. I'm going to do it right now. I saw an animal planet show recently where the dog was new and had a chip...but it wasn't registered.

I'm such a bad mommy. I'll be back shortly

Willowy · 10-03-2008, 09:40 PM

I had my dogs 'chipped at a Humane Society event.....they MADE you fill out and submit the registration. They wouldn't let you leave until it had been filled out. Good idea, IMO.

Smithcat · 10-03-2008, 10:14 PM

Glad that it all worked out for you.

There is a concern about the chips that has kept Guide Dogs for the Blind from chipping their dogs.

The problem is that the readers from the different chipping operations are not compatible with each other, one cannot read the other. Either the vet/pound has to have both readers or it does no good.

All dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind have tattoos in both ears which identify the dog. Thats pretty foolproof.

MyCharlie · 10-03-2008, 10:28 PM

So glad you got her back Ron!! Both mine are chipped.

Actually Smithcat, I think a lot of the readers are compatible with other companies' chips. We brought our new dog to the vet Tuesday and her chip is from a different company than they use, but they scanned her no problem.

Willowy · 10-03-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithcat

All dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind have tattoos in both ears which identify the dog. Thats pretty foolproof.

Unless the person who steals your dog cuts his/her ears off

. It's happened, often enough that ear tattooing is not recommended---the usual recommendation is a tattoo on the inner thigh. Dog fighters, puppymills, and research facilities don't care if the dog has ears or not. Of course, they could conceivably learn to cut microchips out, too........

They're taking steps to make a universal scanner. I think one brand is available now. As it stands now, one brand's scanner can identify that your dog HAS a microchip of the other brand, but won't give you the microchip number. I guess this is an improvement. But it's not really a big deal for a shelter to buy both scanners. The price is not terrible (I think $150-$300 each). If they last a reasonable amount of time, I consider this to be a good price.

Patt · 10-03-2008, 10:40 PM

YAY I'm glad Molly is back home.

I'm a big believer in microchips and all my dogs are chipped.

Mac'N'Roe · 10-03-2008, 10:50 PM

Thanks Ron for posting this thread. I have registered my chips now...I feel a lot better.

Dakota Spirit · 10-04-2008, 01:52 AM

I just recently got Dakota chipped a couple weeks ago. It was something I'd been 'meaning to do' for awhile that just hadn't happened yet. I'm glad it's done though. All of our local shelters scan incoming dogs (as I assume most do) so it will be really beneficial if she ever gets lost. Particularly because she only wears her collar/tags when out somewhere other then the area around our house.

rosemaryninja · 10-04-2008, 02:14 AM

At first I thought the title of this thread was a pun on "Microsoft Works." Was that intentional?

In any case, I'm glad to hear that Molly is back.

2malts4me · 10-04-2008, 02:33 AM

I'm so glad the chip worked and that you got your Molly back. Both of mine are chipped and I'm happy to hear it actually worked. Especially that she was picked up so quickly and they called you so quickly. Whether or not the chip can or can't be read by both readers, I'd like to think that until it is universal at least there's a shot the chip will be read and help in returning a lost dog to their home. At least it's better than nothing.

tgrsnpr · 10-04-2008, 03:00 AM

I recently got my puppy microchipped in the month of august because its only $5. It's like this special thing the humane society does with a bunch of vets which is good.

But good thing u got her bak.

digits mama · 10-04-2008, 12:48 PM

Excellent news! I am glad it worked and you got your girl back!

My dogs are all chipped, and they look like Mr T with an identity problem now. Only thing i dont have is neon signs hanging from thier necks

Max'sHuman · 10-04-2008, 04:41 PM

Phew! Thanks for the reminder! I needed to update our new address with the ole' chip registry. Glad to hear they really work though...

Darkmoon · 10-04-2008, 04:46 PM

I'd never not have a pet not chipped. Theres too big of a chance that their tags will fall off if they ever got loose.

Heck we even microchip the ferrets JIC. You never know!