Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jane on April 27, 2011 at 3:36pm

There shouldn't be a charge to keep it active. There are some programs that have a yearly fee that will help you find your dog in the event he's lost, such as HomeAgain, but these aren't required in order for the microchip to work.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on April 27, 2011 at 6:19pm

Hi Jen,

 

Here's what I know: 

 

The cancer studies from 1996-2006 used only 3 brands:

 

BioMedic Data Systems Inc (only sold for lab animal use)

LifeChip by Destron Fearing (not to be used on dogs) DF is a division of Digital Angel

Merial Indexel - Destron Fearing supply the RFID to Merial (Euro use only) DF is a division of Digital Angel

 

Only the studies in 2003 2004 and 2006 involved dogs, 9 dogs did not get cancer, 2 dogs did, both dogs used Merial Indexel by Destron Fearing (Digital Angel) in 04 /06.  the significant death rates were all lab rats.

 

In the US, the most common shelter / vet clinic scanners are either AVID or HomeAgain (also supplied by Destron Fearing, a division of Digital Angel)

 

Since there were no AVID Chip link to cancer reported, I personally went with AVID. Chip insertion is no more painful than a routine shot in my opinion, the hypodermic needle is only a size 10 fr = 3.3mm. You don't need anesthesia, most clinics charges $10-15 (insertion) and they can do it along with a spay / neuter, it's can be done under 10 seconds. AVID Charges $15 to register, $6 to change info and there's no annual fee. If you are medically licensed (human / pet), it'll be a cake walk to DIY (no rx needed), I perform the insertion on all my rescues.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on April 27, 2011 at 9:36pm

I just wanted to inform you (and everyone) that you DO NOT have to pay the yearly fee. Once your information is in the system it is in the system for the life of the pet. The yearly fee is for extras and all the chip companies keep that little bit of information secret. They trick you into paying the yearly fee, but if all you want is for your pet to be in the database with a name, address, and phone #, the one time registration fee is enough. I used to work at a vet and we have been told by several microchip companies that you do not need to keep  paying the yearly fee. Funny how they make you think that though by sending URGENT e-mails and letters about your pets membership expiring. Each company also has a unique numbering system so just by scanning the chip the vet and/or rescue can locate the company that made your chip and they can also track down where the chip was implanted.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 28, 2011 at 2:00am

Ditto. Home Again customer service (very helpful) just told me that even though Al's status is listed as "expired" on our account, this is just because at one time we were suckered into paying for "full service" and then didn't pay the annual fee. If he gets lost, picked up, and scanned, they still provide contact information.

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Permalink Reply by Alison Prasavath on April 27, 2011 at 3:45pm

Noodles is micro chipped and he had it done when he was neutered. Our vet uses Avid microchips and if I remember correctly, it was $50 for the chip and then a $35 registration fee. No matter the cost, I know he will be returned to me if he were to get lost and that is peace of mind.

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Permalink Reply by Ollie & Prie Misra on April 27, 2011 at 8:49pm

Hi there, just wanted to say that in the LA area we have a lot of orgs that offer microchips for free -- Ollie's was free and I just made a $20 donation by choice :) perhaps ask your local humane society or your local park board :)

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Permalink Reply by Ella and Lily on April 28, 2011 at 7:20am

Ella is chipped and my old Basset was chipped. I ended up needing to rehome the basset. About 6 months later I got a call, a text, AND an email from AKC care and recovery saying someone had found him. I guess the new owner never turned in the paperwork I gave him. Chips are great though and definitely work. I also put the chip number with AKC CaR's phone number on it instead of their names and my address. My cousin has had 2 of his corgi's puppynapped and both times when he found the people they were calling the dog's names to get them to come back to them.

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Permalink Reply by steve smith on May 19, 2011 at 7:08am

My American Eskimo came with a chip but the good doctor said that it has not been activated. Also said that there is a monthly fee. Does that sound right? I dont know what brand.

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Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on May 19, 2011 at 8:14am

There shouldn't be a monthly fee just for the microchip to be active.  Or, at least, I've never heard of one.  Typically the monthly fee, as stated before, is for additional services like HomeAgain.  The only cost at this point should be a one-time registration fee with the microchip company.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on May 19, 2011 at 8:46am

Hi Steve, not activated means there's no contact info in the system, the chip should come with a keyring tag with barcode, describe the color and shape and I'll let you know what brand it is.

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Permalink Reply by steve smith on May 22, 2011 at 4:56pm

I dont know, it is implanted. He came with it and I have instructions on how to activate it. Where these instructions are now, only Snowball knows and hes not talking.

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Permalink Reply by Monica, Orion, and Laika on May 22, 2011 at 6:58pm

The chip has its number and everything when scanned. Probably what he means by activated is if you have sent in your information so that the number is associated with your name, number, address, etc. There should be a one time activation fee. The yearly fee is for extra stuff, like I pay the yearly HomeAgain fee so I'm signed up for something called pet finders where when there are lost pets within a 5 mile radius of my address I get an email about it with a description and picture of the animal so I'll know if I see them. There is also an emergency 24 hour hotline and all that fun stuff. But once the chip is in it is implanted for life and its number will show up when scanned, you don't have to pay for the extra services if you don't want to

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