I asked my vet about this today. She is always honest and that is one of the reasons I really like going there.

She said that it really doesn't hurt, it is much like getting their vaccination shots. She said that it is not suppose to move from the injection site, but there have been cases of them "moving" to another spot in the animal. She showed me the needles (yes, they are huge) and that same size is used on any size of pet. (maybe another reason why do have it done when they are already "out" for another reason - spay/neuter, teeth cleaning, etc). She also showed me how it works on their office cat.

One word of caution though!!! I asked about every vet/shelter/etc having a scanner and she said that some places use a newer or older scanner (sorry, can't remember) and it will pick up the chip, but it won't read the number. I think maybe there is a newer brand that doesn't read the number, so therefore, it would be pointless. She also said that if your puppy was stolen, chances of it being taken to a vet that would suspect any foul play is slim - that vet would then not feel the need to have to scan the puppy.

So, there are pros and cons (as with anything else). I think this is solely up to the person and the area in which they live.

Great question!! Any answers? We just looked at some dogs that were already chipped too and we didn't even think of that! I guess you could check out the websites [B]avid microchip's website and home again's website and the website to the national registry is here: http://www.homeagainid.com/
that hunniebunnie posted (Thanks by the way) or call the place where you adopted the animal.

Hello Lacy's Mom I also live in El Paso no its not painful at all just like a shot even though they use a 14 gauge needle. My 3 youngest are going in tomorrow to get it done my vet just dropped there price to have it done.

I can see how this can be a very good thing in certain areas. However, I don't plan on having Diesel done tho. If your baby gets lost my thing is this....Most people wouldn't take a Yorkie to a shelter if it was lost. They would prob end up keeping them. So then if they take the dog to a vet to be checked and vaccinated 9 times out of 10 a scan won't be done. I am glad this isn't something that our city had made us do. I would fight tooth and nail against it. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Michelle