Microchip ID

[nancyjac]

My 9 month old kitten, Squeaky (aka Good Humor Man) was missing for almost a week.  As some of you know, he has been through quite a lot already in his short life.  He is an indoor only cat and I don't know how he got out, but it happened.  I posted flyers all around my neighborhood, checked all the shelters and local vets, and posted on all kinds of online lost and found sites.  I reported him as missing to 24PetWatch, the outfit with which his microchip ID is registered.  They immediately flagged his microchip number as missing so that if he were scanned, it would show up as that of a missing pet.  Squeaky was found near a water treatment plant quite a ways from my house, much further away than any of the flyers I had posted.  The people who found him there took him to their vet who was even further away to have him scanned.  The vet contacted 24 PetWatch who in turn contacted me and Squeaky is back home safe and sound.  The collar he had been wearing came off at some point, so the microchip was the only way he could have been identified and returned to us.

I highly recommend microchipping for all cats.  I don't know how many people have said my cat never goes out and then they lose him the one time he did get out.  Now that has happened to me, and he is back home safe and sound because he had a microchip.  They are inexpensive and are small enough that they can be injected.  We microchip all of the animals at the shelter where I work and it is quite simple and painless to do.  We also offer the service for a $10 fee to the public for their pets.  

[4Maddie44]

After 15 months my last pet cat, who had decided to take up residence elsewhere, was returned when taken to a vet and scanned.  Here in UK rescue charities chip all cats.

You will see from another post however, that my present cat, who is still chipped to the cat rescue charity, has gone walkabout!!

[29sillygirl]

I was fortunate that Shadow had been found by Animal Services; once they determine an animal is well, he/she is chipped.  My only expense, then, (besides the several hundred for adoption from rescue folks and vet bills..teehee) was about what Jade said ....a simple transfer from Orange County Animal Services to moi:).

While on the subject, I really believe this process will become more popular as pet owners learn of it.  Who knows, in future we may all have a reader to scan any furry lil' fellow who shows up at our doors???

Oh..the last thing.  The tech @ vets used a reader to get Shadow's number...the little patoot.  It was fun to watch...very easy. Tech double checked ownership on computer.  I already knew it was AS, but it was reassuring to see that the entire process works very well.

[LindaTX]

When I adopted little Tommy in Miss. they chipped him right away and it was included in the adoption fee.  It really gives you peace of mind to know that if somehow they do get lost there is a good chance they will get back to you. I think it's just the greatest thing.

[nancyjac]

I want to add that there are several companies that provide and register microchip IDs and that I am not endorsing any particular one of them, just that 24PetWatch happened to be the one used by the shelter I work at.  I agree with sillygirl that not a lot of pet owners or lost pet finders are even aware of microchip IDs, so they don't get their pets chipped or think to take a found animal to a vet, pet store, or shelter to have him scanned.  

[Jade59]

That sounds just like you - will be there for Shadow in the future should he need you even tho he left...the little stinker!

I am amazed more people don't chip their cat.  It was $44, I just looked up my receipt, then $6 to register which you don't Have to do since vet who implanted it would be notified.  I know that's a lot of money for some folks, it was for us at the time, but I wanted the peace of mind since we'd spent so much darn money on Jade from the get go.  Hmm...in 08, cigarette money saved : )

[29sillygirl]

Great testament to value of microchip.  Thanks Nancy.  My adopted kit, Shadow, was chipped and registered to company Jade mentioned.
Altho' he left and is, from what I hear, living with couple in neighborhood, I have not contacted company.  

People come and go here.  Few if any besides me would microchip an animal, esp. a cat.

So...tho' Shadow is no longer under my care, if he should get lost in future, and is found by animal services or people who go to vet's....I will be here for him.

[Jade59]

I'm so happy to hear Squeaky is back home!  What a relief!  I'm sorry you had such a scare, Nancy.

Yes, those microchips are very inexpensive.  And as you found out, a life saver.  I had one put in Jade in 08.  It only costs me an additional $6 to register her.  It's through "Avid."  PETtrac, a 24/7 pet recovery service would be notified and call me should she ever go missing and be turned in.  It gives me great peace of mind.  Our info is on her collar, but again, as you found out, those breakaway collars do what they are designed to do and if that happens, all you have to depend on is the chip.  

Merry Christmas to you and Squeaky!

[opus88]

Oh Nancy I didn't know he had gone missing..............thank goodness for some caring people and the microchip that he is again back home safe and sound....Merry Christmas to GHM aka Squeaky...

[dominosarah]

What a happy ending~~~~~

[zodiacqueen]

What a great story, thanks for sharing!!

And, thank God that you got Squeaky back and that decent people found him!!! =)

What a special Xmas present!!!