Tattoo - To visibly, permanently,
identify your dog, consider a tattoo. A tattoo may be applied (to dogs as young as 5 weeks) in only a few minutes, is completely painless and requires no anesthesia.
Tactile sensory nerves within the epidermis allows the dog to feel surface contact, but not
pain... just tickling sensation from the vibration of the
marker. The tattoo needle never reaches the pain sensory nerve endings.
Once your dog is tattooed, you need to register the tattoo. An unregistered tattoo
will not allow most times for the return of your dog. The tattoo needs to be
associated to it's owner. This is where The National Dog Registry (1-800-637-3647) will register your dog's
tattoo number for a small one-time fee. That way, if a tattoo is found on a lost dog, the
Registry can be called and the owner located.
So why microchip too? Because Tattoos can
fade, can be cleverly altered or if not placed correctly can be
removed. Tattoos are a deterrent to thieves stealing your dog
because they are visible. Microchips are not.
Microchip - are tiny metal
transponders about the size of an uncooked grain of rice. The
chips carry a unique identification number. They are implanted
normally between the shoulder blades just underneath the
skin.
Microchips are registered with local or
national databases and many city pounds. Veterinarians and
shelters have their own scanners to read the chips of stray animals.
Once the microchip is read, the staff can call the 24-hour regional
or national hotline and get your contact information.
Having your pet micro-chipped is as quick and uncomfortable as a
vaccination. Microchips are also more convenient then tattoos
because a frightened dog doesn't need to be shaved to locate it.
Microchip systems include the chip and the fee for life time
registration, the insertion and the paperwork. Vets charge about $25
to $60 and shelters for as little as $15 for micro-chipping.
The disadvantage with micro-chipping is that
the microchip is invisible. This is why you should also have
your dog wear a tag on his collar, mentioning that he has been
micro-chipped, and containing backup identification
information. Another aspect is the cost. Micro chipping
can be done for as cheaply as $5.00 per dog at a clinic, to $40.00
or more per dog at your veterinarian's office. The
registration of the chip is included in the fee. If you move,
you must send your change of address information to the registering
company. The final drawback is that, unfortunately, not all
humane societies and shelters have one of the scanners to identify
the chips. And, the fact that most of these chip manufacturers
are not working together on this, and require their own separate
reader, makes it necessary to keep several brands on hand. The
readers are usually donated FREE OF CHARGE to shelters.
Breeders and kennel owners with large numbers of dogs can buy them
at a low cost.
The advantages of the microchip are that it
is a permanent identification system. It can't fade out, like
a tattoo, or fall off, like an I.D. tag. It doesn't have a
power source which will wear out. The chip is detected by
passing the scanner over the dog's body (usually the neck
area). If a chip is identified, the number will show on the
scanner. This registration number is on file with the company,
with all of the important identification information about your
dog. The chips are easy to implant. They are about the
size of a grain of rice, and they go under the skin with a large
hypodermic needle. The needle is made so that it slices the
skin and injects the chip, rather than boring a hole in the skin
surface. A slit is made by the needle, which flaps back down
after the procedure, and heals very quickly. The needle is so
sharp, the dogs barely feel it.
