Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have always thought it might not be safe to microchip having read of a slight chance of cancer at the site. However it seems that is rare. I help in lost dog searches and must say that microchips have reunited many dogs with their owners. My dogs always wear a collar and tag but I realize that somehow the collar or tag could get broken off. I understand that chip is only putting out a signal when someone actually uses the apparatus to see if the dog has a chip so otherwise inert? Thanks for any thoughts on this subject.

The risk is not from some emitted microwaves, but from having a foreign body that is a constant source of irritation. There are not many cases of cancer that develop from microchips, but there are also not many cases of dogs that get lost, lose their collars, and their owners do not search for them by checking with dog pounds. Plus, the dogs must be checked by the pound or shelter, which has a scanner capable of reading the microchip, of which there are several non-interchangeable formats. And, the animal must be registered in a central registry, often with a yearly fee. So while they have reunited some lost animals with their owners, I don't think this has happened very often.

I adopted a dog one time that we KNEW had a microchip, but none showed on the scanner. Then the veterinarian scanned it himself, and found that the chip had moved down the leg. One more thing that can happen with microchips.

For definite identification, I prefer a tatoo. But my dog only has his collar off, briefly, for grooming. I ordered an ID tag for him from a company that makes very good, very readable tags for a reasonable price. I had in the past bought tags that "faded" rather quickly. I may be getting the terminology wrong, but I think the tags that became illegible were engraved. The ones I've found that I like best are stainless steel and the lettering is deep--I think it's called embossed.

But if you crate a dog, it's not safe to leave a collar on in the crate. Oy. And a collar a dog wears all the time has to be just the right shape for that dog's activities and exactly the right size. Dogs can get hurt on collars, so we have to be careful.

If a dog has a collar on with proper ID, someone who finds that dog lost will be able to contact you and you can directly go get your dog. No trip to the animal shelter, far less stress for the dog, and also less risk of catching something contagious, so common in shelters.

But, you have to keep that collar on, and you have to make sure you have a good, readable tag with current information on it!

I've had some dogs tatooed, and that can be a very good backup. It needs to be done on the side of the tummy, not an ear. One argument is that people finding a lost dog are not going to check there. That depends on a lot of things. But the tatoo can be a very good way of identifying the dog.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47