What brand microchip do you use?

[capt_noonie]

I know we've discussed this before, but after Uni's recent trip to the vet, I am thinking of implanting another chip in her. Here's why:

She has an AVID chip. When I got her, I received info from the "breeder" about how to register her, and I did, through Home Again. I thought HA was just a registry site, and they did take the AVID chip number.

Now when I asked the vet about the chip, he showed me how they scan and what shows up. He said Uni's chip came up as AVID and number xxx-xxx-xxx. Vet says they would then call AVID and see if there was any owner info. I said I registered through HA and not AVID. AVID does not have an online registry. So he said I should re-register directly through AVID. If they were to pick up Uni, why would they call HA if she had an AVID chip? Makes sense.

So should I get another chip company implanted and register with them? I read a few online reviews on AVID and most do not like that you cannot register online, or even change info online. You must do it through snail mail and checks.

Thoughts?

[carmen in nj]

My Harrison is chip with an Avid chip, it was done 9 years ago when I got him from his breeder, after years of doing mail with Avid I was able to register him with Petlink online, when the number comes up and you put it in the computer the Petlink data base shows up with the registrations, I use Datamars chips in all my puppies, because they are good for international travel, since some of my pups travel to shows and some their parents take in trips it was recomended by my mentor so I been using them for about 6 years now, before that I used Home again.
I always thought the Avid chip by the AKC was behind in technology...LOL
hugs,

[kdhawks]

Levi is microchipped with resQ, and their registry called Petlink. I'm very happy with the chip and the registry service. There is just a one-time fee, no annual dues, and you can log-in and update your pet's information at any time. They even generate a lost pet poster if your pet is to ever get lost. Hopefully, I will never have to use his chip or any of the affiliated services, but it gives me more peace of mind that he is chipped and that I like the company.

[Nancy1999]

I would reregister through AVID, if they have the onetime fee program, since she already has the chip. I would not use a company that makes you reregister every year, that's so annoying. This site has a phone number, and will probably take credit cards, it also has a fax number you can use. Avid Microchip Registration That way Uni will be registered with both companies! Anyway, why make Uni go through the pain of another chip implant?

[qtyorkies]

Two of my dogs have HomeAgain chips. My new mini poodle has an AVID chip. I did register her through HomeAgain too. I was told that when the chip is scanned it will look like an AVID chip because of the 9 numbers, but most shelters and most vets would either call Avid AND HomeAgain or they would look up the chip at Pet Microchip Lookup - Powered by AAHA to see where that chip was registered so they know which company to call.

Our local shelter also keeps microchip information in their own registry that they share with surrounding cities including those in CA. The shelter also matches chip numbers to rabies license numbers. They also ask you to send them a picture of your dog to keep for their files.

I called HomeAgain and I asked about this scenario and they refer people calling in with a non HA registered chip to Pet Microchip Lookup - Powered by AAHA and to the other pet registries like AVID. They say that AVID and other registries have done the same for them.

I'm fairly certain that most vets and shelters would do their due diligence and call more than one pet registry or use the chip lookup system to find out where a chip was registered. It's not like there are a couple dozen major microchip registries out there.

I have looked up all of my pets' microchips, and the chip lookup system works very easily. You just have to type in the chip number in a little box and hit submit. The HomeAgain logo and phone number popped up, and it will also say when the last time I updated the microchip information.

HomeAgain doesn't make you register each year. You have to do it only once, but you can pay yearly for the upgraded membership that has added benefits. You can change your contact information and pictures anytime at HomeAgain after the first time your register. There's no fee for changing your information and pictures no matter how often you do it.

[DvlshAngel985]

Would you have to have the original chip removed?

Kaji has a home again chip but I wish I had done more research. I would like to have an international chip instead of what he has. There are no annual fees with home again unless you want the "premium" package.

[teacup0819]

What does the premium plan offer you??

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by teacup0819

What does the premium plan offer you??

I don't remember.l what it includes in the premium package. I haven't paid since Kaji was chipped. I know it works because I have the plastic tag on my car key ring. I lost my keys and home again called me and told me where I can find them.

[qtyorkies]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Would you have to have the original chip removed?

Kaji has a home again chip but I wish I had done more research. I would like to have an international chip instead of what he has. There are no annual fees with home again unless you want the "premium" package.

From what I've heard from others the chip is not removed. A new chip is just put in the dog and both chip numbers will come up. The vet or shelter will have to call about both chips unless they find the owner on the first try.

You can register Kaji's chip with Petlink, and they are an international database. All HomeAgain microchips are ISO compliant which means they are 15 digit and can be scanned and read by all ISO scanners. They are sufficient for overseas travel.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by qtyorkies

From what I've heard from others the chip is not removed. A new chip is just put in the dog and both chip numbers will come up. The vet or shelter will have to call about both chips unless they find the owner on the first try.

You can register Kaji's chip with Petlink, and they are an international database. All HomeAgain microchips are ISO compliant which means they are 15 digit and can be scanned and read by all ISO scanners. They are sufficient for overseas travel.

Mine is 10 digits. And I read you need a 13 digit chip for international use. I will admit I haven't done thorough research on this.

[qtyorkies]

Originally Posted by teacup0819

What does the premium plan offer you??

The biggest thing the premium plan offers to pay up to $500 for your pet's travel if they are found over 500 miles away. It also offers a 24 hour hotline to a call center that is staffed by vets to answer any questions. This might be useful if you're away and can't find a vet or if you're pet gets sick on a weekend and there's no emergency vet clinic. I don't think the extra charge is worth it so I don't pay for it.

I forgot to add that AVID chips are not ISO compliant and can't be read by international scanners. An AVID Euro chip is needed for overseas travel. My mini poodle was given an AVID chip by the rescue I got her from so I couldn't choose what type of chip she had. I will get her a different chip if we ever need to go overseas with her. The HomeAgain chips are only $12 at our local Animal Services Department. That doesn't include the $18 one time registration fee with HomeAgain though.

[qtyorkies]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Mine is 10 digits. And I read you need a 13 digit chip for international use. I will admit I haven't done thorough research on this.

They must have started to make them different then. My two with HA chips have 15 digit numbers, but they got their chips within the last 2 years. My deceased old dog got a chip a couple of years ago, and she had the 15 digit chip too. The 15 digit chips are the international standard.

My mini poodle with the AVID chip has a 9 digit chip and now they are made with 10 digits. I think the chip she was given earlier this month by the vet who spayed her has a bunch of old chips.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would reregister through AVID, if they have the onetime fee program, since she already has the chip. I would not use a company that makes you reregister every year, that's so annoying. This site has a phone number, and will probably take credit cards, it also has a fax number you can use. Avid Microchip Registration That way Uni will be registered with both companies! Anyway, why make Uni go through the pain of another chip implant?

Is this the same AVID? American Veterinary Identification Devices - Home Page (English) Stupid question I know, but this was the site I was looking at, and it has NO info on it. It says you register through PETrac, but doesn't link to it or list a number. I didn't read anything on the faq page about faxing or anything like you linked. That info was more clear.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by qtyorkies

Two of my dogs have HomeAgain chips. My new mini poodle has an AVID chip. I did register her through HomeAgain too. I was told that when the chip is scanned it will look like an AVID chip because of the 9 numbers, but most shelters and most vets would either call Avid AND HomeAgain or they would look up the chip at Pet Microchip Lookup - Powered by AAHA to see where that chip was registered so they know which company to call.

Our local shelter also keeps microchip information in their own registry that they share with surrounding cities including those in CA. The shelter also matches chip numbers to rabies license numbers. They also ask you to send them a picture of your dog to keep for their files.

I called HomeAgain and I asked about this scenario and they refer people calling in with a non HA registered chip to Pet Microchip Lookup - Powered by AAHA and to the other pet registries like AVID. They say that AVID and other registries have done the same for them.

I'm fairly certain that most vets and shelters would do their due diligence and call more than one pet registry or use the chip lookup system to find out where a chip was registered. It's not like there are a couple dozen major microchip registries out there.

I have looked up all of my pets' microchips, and the chip lookup system works very easily. You just have to type in the chip number in a little box and hit submit. The HomeAgain logo and phone number popped up, and it will also say when the last time I updated the microchip information.

HomeAgain doesn't make you register each year. You have to do it only once, but you can pay yearly for the upgraded membership that has added benefits. You can change your contact information and pictures anytime at HomeAgain after the first time your register. There's no fee for changing your information and pictures no matter how often you do it.

When the vet scanned her chip, it said AVID xxx-xxx-xxx. I am really thinking now that I am been researching this more, that the "breeder" gave me HA papers, but Uni has an AVID chip implanted in her, so I paid the registration for a chip that is not in Uni. Who knows who has the dog with that chip! More wasted money. That and the fee I paid for her "papers" ugh.

I did check out the chip lookup site. It says no info, but it's an avid chip, and call this number.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by qtyorkies

They must have started to make them different then. My two with HA chips have 15 digit numbers, but they got their chips within the last 2 years. My deceased old dog got a chip a couple of years ago, and she had the 15 digit chip too. The 15 digit chips are the international standard.

My mini poodle with the AVID chip has a 9 digit chip and now they are made with 10 digits. I think the chip she was given earlier this month by the vet who spayed her has a bunch of old chips.

The HA number I have (which I guess is not useless) is alphanumeric, like: ###A#####A