Microchipping and Spaying: UPDATE

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley is getting spayed tomorrow and and I am (way) overdue in getting her microchipped so I was planning on getting it done tomorrow during the spay. I am filling out the surgical consent form which includes the microchipping part, but I noticed that the type of microchipping they offer is in the form of a yearly subscription- is that normal? When I rescued my cat four years ago, she came with a microchip that is lifetime registration type of thing. Is there an option for a microchip that I don't have to pay a subscription each year for? It's not that I mind paying for a subscription, but if there is a different option I'd be interested in looking into it.

Also, I think I am prepared for her spay as I have been reading old discussions, etc. and have some experience with it, but any and all advice is welcome! One of my main questions is about the blood screening- it's $44.50 for a basic blood screen- is it worth it?

And, of course- I'll include a picture :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Clancy has a Home Again chip - the initial fee is the only fee you have to pay, you don't need to continue paying annually for him to continue being registered.   I paid a fee to Avid, where my other dogs are chipped and registered his Home Again chip number with them also. Over done?  Most likely. Wishing Ragley a speedy recovery.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My dogs have Avid chips with a one time registration fee.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Good luck to Ragley, and beautiful picture!!

I would also do the bloodwork :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Good luck, Ragley! 

Finn has an Avid chip with just a one time fee.  (Love the picture)

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

We did the bloodwork with George's spay, if nothing else we wanted to have it on file in case something ever came up. To have a history so to speak. Her breeder had already chipped her when we got her at 8 weeks. I don't want to think about how big that needle was when compared to my 7 lb puppy! I believe we're with avid. It was a very small one-time fee. :) good luck and stock up on her favorite chew toys! Those first few days are rough keeping them down!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Thank you for all the well-wishes and compliments, everyone! I am going to do the blood work as I agree that it is well worth the cost. I looked at the form again and the microchip is a Home Again chip so I'm glad to see that others have had experience with them. 

I am hoping for an uneventful day as well as I have a big job interview during her spay tomorrow morning so it will be busy! Lots on my mind, but that's life for you, I guess! I will be sure to update everyone tomorrow as soon as they call me. 

[Crazy Doodle Lady]

Aww Dexter gets the big snip on Thursday. They will be cone heads together! Good luck Ragley! Dexter sends big sloppy kisses your way!!!!!!!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My vet changed the type of chip since Spud was chipped because of the yearly registration and cost with Home Again.  My local county shelter said they scan dogs constantly and can not reach the people because the information is not accessible!  How horrible.   So, if you do use one of the companies that require a yearly registration, make sure you keep up on it yearly. 

I want to think that a Home Again rep came onto DK and argued the policy with us in one discussion a few years back. Not a good discussion that day.

While Spud has Home Again, and I do register and pay a yearly fee, I would not use them again

That said, there is a FREE website where any chip can be registered.  It's called the ???   Anyone remember this address?

I think Adrianne Matzkin posted the web address a few times

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the discussion you're referring to, Joanne, and there is a post by Adrianne in it with a link to the free registry: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/which-microchip-registry?x...

This is the page on which we got the sales pitch: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/which-microchip-registry?x...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the link to the free registry: http://freepetchipregistry.com/index/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you and Thank you, Karen!

Now, I am going back to re-read the discussion.  Sometimes it is good to laugh again  :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Who knew and since became a nice member with a doodle(s).  Times change and so do discussions