It breaks my heart.....

[Fire Fox]

Lots of otherwise responsible owners of indoor cats do not seem to think chipping is important ... until they escape.  Fortunately Noah was chipped by CP. He never shows any interest in the front door and would have to navigate two further doors or a high window to get outside, but I still shut the poor boy in the bedroom all day Sunday whilst my parents were here doing some DIY. He was mollified by occasional food parcels.

[Kucinta]

I simply ask my vets to use the scanner to check that the chip is still in place whenever I take my boys to the vets - only takes a few seconds and gives me reassurance.

[Desley (booktigger)]

I am surprised that a chipped animal wouldnt be returned to you, I thought part of chipping was to prove ownership?

My vets have a sign up that they will scan all new pets, and if you dont allow your pet to be scanned, then they wont accept you as a client. That said, mine never get checked on their checkups unless I ask (Which I rarely remember to do).

[Saska]

If a pet is stolen it's irrelevant if it's chipped or not. We've been searching for our missing cat for almost 9 weeks now, he's microchipped but unless someone takes him to a vet/rescue and says they've FOUND him, he won't automatically be scanned. As far as I'm aware most vets only scan found or RTA animals, not new pets. That's where the real work needs to be done, ensuring that all newly registered pets are scanned on their first appointment with the vet. That way they would find out immediately that the pet was missing (assuming the owner had done as we have and reported him missing to the pet database).

But I agree with the OP, all pets should be chipped (I even suggested a colleague get her rabbits chipped today!)

Gem.

Exactly people have to speak up and ask/tell/insist vets/rescue scan when you take in a lost animal. Btw when the vet scans to check the newly implanted chip has registered on his scanner if another chip is in situ it should show up as chips are generally placed in the back of the neck area although they can dislodge. I'm with you, chip bunnies also! Homeowners often security mark their prized possessions in their homes so it's common sense to mark/chip our beloved pets. Hope you find your kitty.

[Saska]

Just in case it helps, our vet scanned our Billy Whiz the first two times we brought him in as our new pet.  He's not exactly easy to handle and suppose vet thought we may have catnapped him 

Not necessarily so. Chips can dislodge and it should be a routine check when you take your pet in for whatever reason however some vets get lackadaisical.

[Saska]

Saska- is your Millie and blue and cream persian ?
She looks absolutely gorgeous but pic is a bit small to see properly .  Hope she is entered in the show 

 

Yes that's our Millie. She's a blue/cream Persian and yep she's in the competition along with Lucy Locket who is a blue Persian. They are both 15yrs young and sadly the yrs are advancing all too fast. I'm not sure of the size allowed of the avatar on here but will try to resize. Meanwhile here's the poser again >>>

[snarf]

If a pet is stolen it's irrelevant if it's chipped or not. We've been searching for our missing cat for almost 9 weeks now, he's microchipped but unless someone takes him to a vet/rescue and says they've FOUND him, he won't automatically be scanned. As far as I'm aware most vets only scan found or RTA animals, not new pets. That's where the real work needs to be done, ensuring that all newly registered pets are scanned on their first appointment with the vet. That way they would find out immediately that the pet was missing (assuming the owner had done as we have and reported him missing to the pet database).

But I agree with the OP, all pets should be chipped (I even suggested a colleague get her rabbits chipped today!)

Gem.

mine have been scanned for most of their vet visits and i think all of their vaccs- theres abit in the vacc card with the microchip number and they said they have to check it which is something im more than happy about. i have had to demand they scan a stray before tho. are my vets backwards?

[BazandGem]

Just in case it helps, our vet scanned our Billy Whiz the first two times we brought him in as our new pet.  He's not exactly easy to handle and suppose vet thought we may have catnapped him 

Rosella, our own vet never scanned Bazza in the whole time we've had him. And most other local vets I've been in touch with about him being missing have said they "routinely scanned found/RTA cats" but are distinctly quiet when I ask about new pets. Maybe it's down to where in the country we are. Baz is unfortunately quite easy to handle once you've actually got hold of him - so would be easy for someone to pretend he was their cat.

[bunglycat]

Saska- is your Millie and blue and cream persian ?
She looks absolutely gorgeous but pic is a bit small to see properly .  Hope she is entered in the show 

[Rosella moggy]

Just in case it helps, our vet scanned our Billy Whiz the first two times we brought him in as our new pet.  He's not exactly easy to handle and suppose vet thought we may have catnapped him 

[BazandGem]

If a pet is stolen it's irrelevant if it's chipped or not. We've been searching for our missing cat for almost 9 weeks now, he's microchipped but unless someone takes him to a vet/rescue and says they've FOUND him, he won't automatically be scanned. As far as I'm aware most vets only scan found or RTA animals, not new pets. That's where the real work needs to be done, ensuring that all newly registered pets are scanned on their first appointment with the vet. That way they would find out immediately that the pet was missing (assuming the owner had done as we have and reported him missing to the pet database).

But I agree with the OP, all pets should be chipped (I even suggested a colleague get her rabbits chipped today!)

Gem.

[Saska]

.. I'm just extra paranoid.

You and me both!

[Den]

Makes total sense. Which is why I do still get my pets chipped, even though I've had a bad experience. I'll continue to chip .. I'm just extra paranoid.

[Saska]

I have an absolutely terrible habit of mentioning dogs in every post   It's because that's where my knowledge is, but it's a bad habit and I've got to stop it  

Thing is, he/she was chipped and the courts ruled as the other person had bought it in faith they couldn't have him/her back. I've heard things like this over the years. Even people who could prove it is their pet with pictures and vet records as well not being able to get their pet back. This really is my absolute biggest fear. Of course my dog was chipped when she was a puppy. When I took her for her yearly check-up they scanned for her chip and it wasn't there. I took her to 2 different practices, had about 5 different people and about 5 or so different scanners. The conclusion was either the chip malfunctioned or fell not long after it was put in (before the wound could heal). I had never heard about this happening before, but I've come across soooooooo many similar cases since. So of course I'm forever paranoid that the chips won't work if someone goes missing.

I have heard of chips being undetectable but I think I'd sooner take the risk. If the pet then goes missing for whatever reason you know you took all the responsible steps to try to recover your pet in the event it goes missing. Errrr hope that makes sense....had a busy day and getting tired LOL!!

[Den]

I have an absolutely terrible habit of mentioning dogs in every post   It's because that's where my knowledge is, but it's a bad habit and I've got to stop it  

Thing is, he/she was chipped and the courts ruled as the other person had bought it in faith they couldn't have him/her back. I've heard things like this over the years. Even people who could prove it is their pet with pictures and vet records as well not being able to get their pet back. This really is my absolute biggest fear. Of course my dog was chipped when she was a puppy. When I took her for her yearly check-up they scanned for her chip and it wasn't there. I took her to 2 different practices, had about 5 different people and about 5 or so different scanners. The conclusion was either the chip malfunctioned or fell not long after it was put in (before the wound could heal). I had never heard about this happening before, but I've come across soooooooo many similar cases since. So of course I'm forever paranoid that the chips won't work if someone goes missing.

[Saska]

i found a husky in my garden the other day with no collar tag on..so i walked her up to the vets and got her scanned...sure enough she was reunited with her owner...yes its wort getting done. My vet had an offer of kitten vaccinations, flea treatments and chipping for a very reasonable price x

Good job purrdy! I found a lovely young black and white kitty hanging around our garden last autum and after a quick trip to the vets and a wave of the scanner Arthur was reunited with his owner.

[purrdy1]

oh...hope it WAS her owner!!

[Saska]

Do you know what though ... There have been several cases recently of dogs being stolen or missing who have been microchipped. They've been rehomed or bought and then eventually have been found. However, legally the owners haven't been allowed them back This is just one recent case http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle_and_dog_blog/2010/05/police-say-microchipped-stolen-puppy-cant-be-returned-to-her-family.html This really saddens me.

Sorry, it's about dogs again    *I'll hit myself* but I have been thinking that exactly the same thing can happen with cats too   Of course cats are much easier to steal as they are out on their own.

Hey Den what does it matter, cats/dogs we love them all!

Tks for the link. Something fishy about that case methinks.

[Den]

Do you know what though ... There have been several cases recently of dogs being stolen or missing who have been microchipped. They've been rehomed or bought and then eventually have been found. However, legally the owners haven't been allowed them back This is just one recent case http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle_and_dog_blog/2010/05/police-say-microchipped-stolen-puppy-cant-be-returned-to-her-family.html This really saddens me.

Sorry, it's about dogs again    *I'll hit myself* but I have been thinking that exactly the same thing can happen with cats too   Of course cats are much easier to steal as they are out on their own.

[purrdy1]

i found a husky in my garden the other day with no collar tag on..so i walked her up to the vets and got her scanned...sure enough she was reunited with her owner...yes its wort getting done. My vet had an offer of kitten vaccinations, flea treatments and chipping for a very reasonable price x

[Saska]

....when I keep reading of cats and dogs being lost or stolen. Sure that's bad enough but then reading that the pet has not even been microchipped is too bad. Microchipping really doesn't cost that much and could reunite the poor lost animal to it's owner very quickly. Microchipping is part of being a responsible pet owner. Sorry for my rant but IMO it's the least we can do to save heartache to both animal and owner.