Tattoo vs. Microchip

How does a Microchip Work (or not work)?

• Each microchip is given a unique code that is registered with a recovery program. A scanner is needed to identify the codes.  Since there are 9 (yes nine) chip companies and no one scanner that scans all chips even if the dog is scanned the chances of finding a chip are risky.

• The trick is that the dog MUST BE SCANNED in order to find the chip.   We see more information all the time indicating that shelters are not scanning the animals at all.  Reasons like "we were to busy", "they are never registered anyway",  "the scanner is broken", "there are to many scanners so we just don't check any" or the "battery was dead" are all to common excuses for not checking for chips.

• The chip MUST BE "registered" with the recovery program or the owner of that chip will never be found.

• Chips are electronic and electronics can fail. 

• When a pet is found by an individual who is not aware of micro chipping and does not know to take the pet to a clinic or shelter for scanning or if the registry information is not kept up to date, the microchip is of no benefit.

• If the finder wants to keep the pet, they are not likely to have it scanned.  Even if the pet is taken to the same Vet who implanted the chip; if the finder presents the animal as theirs the Vet would have no reason to scan for a chip.

• If your pet ever needs to have a life saving MRI, the existence of a microchip could kill them.  How many pet owner would even think of that at a time when they may need a MRI?

How does a Tattoo Work?

• The tattoo is visually seen, no special scanning equipment needed.

• Using our tattoo numbering system your pet's tattoo can be traced even if the registration process ha

  s not been completed.

• Tattoo's are permanent.  If you find a pet and the tattoo has faded, apply some water to the area, most times is becomes readable.  Tattoo's with a tattoo-a-pet dealer are guaranteed.  If your pet's tattoo becomes un-readable it can be retraced. 

• Federal law restricts the use of a tattooed animal for research.  Laboratories
  can't accept tattooed animals. They can lose their license if they do.

Does a Microchip Guarantee My Dog will be Found?

• Absolutely not!  It is the responsibility of the dog owner to register with their
  recovery program, and to update them with any changes.

• The shelter or finder of the dog has to be able to scan the chip in order to
  know.   They have to be lucky enough that they have the proper scanner for
  reading that chip and that the chip has not migrated to another location in
  the dog. 

• Even the chip companies are conscious of their faults recommending "You
  should always consider more than one form of identification for your dog."

Does a Tattoo Guarantee My Dog will be Found?

• There is no guarantee, but your chances are the HIGHEST  with the
  99% documented recovery record of tattoo-a-pet, since 1972. 

• Being visible, immediately recognizable and reported; this recovery process
   is the most effective means of identification available.

• Dognappers and finders are deterred and are not going to take or try to
  keep a pet with a permanent VISIBLE form of ID.

Are Microchips Safe or Painful?

• Any foreign material embedded under the skin has risk.

• More cases of cancer at the chip site are found every year.  The chip
  companies refuse to recognize that.  They continue to point to other factors,
  including vaccinations, for the cancers found surrounding chips.

• The microchip is implanted with a surgical tube needle under the skin.  There may be pain associated with the penetration of the needle.  Certainly if your pet develops cancer in the site they are at risk of unnecessary pain.

• Other dangers include the misplacement of a chip in a struggling animal causing death or paralysis, and chips migrating within the pet’s body causing abscesses and infection.

• Microchips contain metal, this makes a life saving MRI impossible.

• Chips contain an electromagnetic transponder.  Need we say more...