Microchipping Versus Tattooing: Which is Best
for Your Pet?
I offer both to the public. They both have their advantages and disadvantages in helping get a pet safely returned home.
Microchips
A microchip is a rice size piece of technology that carries a number identification that can be traced back to you, the pet's person. The microchip is inserted between the shoulder blades by a small needle. When a scanner is run over the location of the chip, a number shows up on the screen on the scanner and then that number can be traced back to you through a registry company.
Typically an animal shelter or veterinarian's office can scan an animal to see if the animal has a microchip.
Advantages of Microchips:
1. They are popular, easy to install and many places offer them inexpensively
2. The public is more aware of a microchip and using them.
3. They are easy for a vet, shelter or other person to scan. However, if the animal is fractious or hurt, it can be difficult to scan.
4. They are a permanent form of identification in case of custody dispute.
Disadvantages of Microchips:
1. They are invisible. This is important in a lost pet, especially. A person who finds an animal with a microchip won't know it is there until they take it somewhere to scan it, and many people don't do that or know it is there. It is much easier to keep a pet than with a visible tattoo.
2. They migrate from the original spot and can become undetectable.
3. The chip and the scanner have to be from the same company, unless a universal scanner is use, which are still new.
Tattoos
A tattoo is a permanent mark with a unique combination of letters and numbers that can be traced directly back to you, the pet's person. Typically, the tattoo is placed in either the pet's ear or on the inside flank.
Advantages of Tattoos:
1. It is illegal to use a tattooed animal in a research lab unless, of course, it is the lab's animal that they bred themselves. Otherwise, they can not use that animal.
2. They are highly visible if in the ear or on a flank.
3. They are a permanent form of identification in case of custody dispute.
Disadvantages of Tattoos:
1. For a long coated dog, it is important that the person regularly shaves the area, or use an ear tattoo.
2. If the tattoo is not registered, than it will be difficult to trace
Unfortunately, neither a microchip nor a tattoo will work if the animal is so scared that it is not approachable to another person, and the animal can’t be caught. Many animals are so scared and traumatized when they are lost. It can be very difficult to catch them, and they remain on the streets for weeks and months at a time.
Microchipping and tattooing should always be combined with a sturdy collar and current ID tags as the best way to get your pet home safely and quickly.
Feel free to contact me directly on my cell phone at 510/415-6185 or my email address: jackie@thesocialpet.com
