# Microchips for Cats

Category: Animal House

## Post 1 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 1:43:25

Hi, all. I've really debated whether to post this in the rant board, or here. It's definitely a huge rant, but it's about animals, so I guess I'll put it here.
I want to know why in god's name more people don't microchip their cats, and keep that information up to date. Most people microchip their dogs, so that the dog can be found if it runs away. But people tend not to do this with their cats, so most cats that get away from their owners are never found again, and either end up dead because they're declawed, or wind up in shelters. In the shelter case, they get adopted if they're lucky, euthanized if they aren't, all because some stupid human didn't care enough to have a microchip implanted and keep it's info up to date. This is such a rampant problem that the United States Humane Society, in conjunction with local shelters, has actually started what they call the, "Chip your Cat," campaign. It's designed to give owners incentives to have their cats microchipped. But what more incentive should an owner need than the love of their pet?
The thing that started me on this rant is that I just learned that my cousin's cat, Mia, got out the door and ran away. She'd never tried to go out the door before, so they just assumed she never would. Wrong. Mia is declawed, and not microchipped. Neither is their other cat, Tom, though now that they've learned their lesson with Mia, they are finally getting him chipped. But, the whole irony of this is? Their dog, Max, does have a microchip, so they could track him down. My cousin told me she was heartbroken over losing Mia, and I damn near exploded. I very nearly asked my cousin if she just didn't love Mia and Tom enough to see to it that they were chipped as well, and why she favored Max the dog over her cats. I wanted to tell her my sympathies laid with Mia, not with her, because this was her own fault.
Anyway, I think I'm done now. Sorry if I seemed to go overboard, this is just something that really annoys me.

## Post 2 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 2:15:26

micro chips are not as good and great as you might think. It is a definite sign of the end times.

## Post 3 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 9:09:43

A sign of the end times? Ah well.
Maybe people don't microchip their cute little kitties because they secretly want them to run away.
Could we microchip zoners instead?
Sorry Sister Dawn, just pulling your chain.
Bob

## Post 4 by Songbird83 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 20:54:46

Well, I'm currently getting my second guide dog right now, and I'm getting her microchipped, but i think if I had other pets, cats at least, I'd get my cat microchipped to. I never thought of cats being microchipped, I just heard of it for dogs, but I think it's a good idea. Why not i mean? Cats can get lost just as much as dogs as the first person said, but i guess everyone has a different oppinion on this which is ok. We've got the freedom to say what you feel, but i think that I'd do it for my animals safety. Just my own oppinion.

## Post 5 by Daenerys Targaryen (Enjoying Life) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 21:15:51

Aren't guide dogs already microchipped?
I have not microchipped the cat I have now or the cat I used to have which got lost and now I wish I had because maybe I would have been able to find him that way?

## Post 6 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 01-Jul-2009 22:03:31

I actually know what Jess means about a sign of the end times, but that'll put this board off topic, so I won't go into it.
Yes, maybe if we microchipped Zoners, Bobby, we could track them easier when they create duplicates or cause trouble, and know who's butt to kick out the door.
And yes, guide dogs should already be chipped by the time you get them. You'll just have to update the chip with your own information instead of the school's.

## Post 7 by Songbird83 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Thursday, 02-Jul-2009 13:38:40

well, the way we do it here, is we get them chipped, and put in our information unless we move or something I think. It's an optional thing, so whoever doesn't want to do it, doesn't have to, but I think it's a good idea for anyone. Especially if you're planning on traveling a lot internationally. So we'll see what happens. We pay a ten dollar registration fee and that's it I think. So it's not expensive. And I'm going to do it because I didn't get my last dog chipped, and I think it would be a good idea to get this new one chipped. And if I had cats to, like I said before, I'd do the same.

## Post 8 by turricane (happiness and change are choices ) on Sunday, 05-Jul-2009 15:18:50

it is vital to chip your cats. if they don't go outside at all, it may not be necessary but ours do. although they hang ppretty near the house, it is great insurance. most colars on felines are break away. this means they come apart so kitty doesn't stupidly hang him/herself. if this happens, good luck finding it again in the brambles and bushes. then ywhatever name info you put on it is gone.

## Post 9 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 06-Jul-2009 5:50:59

Frankly, I never thought about microchipping our cat. As Sister Dawn said, even though ours is an indoor cat, it makes sense. When we got him, he was raised in one room, and it took him quite awhile to learn he had the run of the house, let alone a flight of stairs from the first to the second floor. Our previous cat knew no fear, and would go out whenever she had a chance, unfortunately. Definitely something worth considering.
Lou

## Post 10 by tear drop (No longer looking for a prince, merely a pauper with potential!!!!!) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2009 15:52:52

I'm thinking of having my cat micro chipped simply because he is d clawed, and if he happens to run outdoors, he may be found. Has anyone got an estimate of what the cost of such a procedure might be?

## Post 11 by ILoveS33 (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2009 20:18:33

I would point out that some people don't have the money. I for one think it's a great idea. If I had the money, all 5 of the animals in our house would be microchipped, even though only 1 belongs to me. I love them all, I help take care of them all, so I would microchip them all even though it's not technically my responsibility. But I don't have the money to microchip them all, so they have up to date tags/licenses & collars instead, bc that's the best I can do for now.
I would also have pet insurrance for them, but that too shall have to come later.

## Post 12 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Wednesday, 05-Aug-2009 11:33:34

Money is the only reason I haven't had my cat Max chipped. Even though he's only tried to get out once and I think only then because a sitor to my house was wearing vanilla perfume, I'd much rather have that extra bit of protection just in case he did try to scoot. I'd have done it right off the bat if I could afford it. But that's one of my goals for the relatively near future. Even thoug he has a tag on his collar with my name and cell number I'd still rather have the chip in case he did lose his collar.

## Post 13 by Damia (I'm oppinionated deal with it.) on Friday, 07-Aug-2009 16:13:18

I was very greatful that the shelter here audimatically chips the cats before putting them up for adoption. I didn't know this was an option for cats until I worked with the shelter, but due to living in an apartment complex I'm very greatful to have it. I used to have out door cats and I may have not done so with them because we knew they knew how to get home, but Lessa is an indoor cat and would not know her way home or may not. I don't want to take the chance. This is one reason I won't have her declawed how ever. If she is declawed and ends up outside she won't be able to hunt very well or defend herself from another cat.
As for the end times, I think that's more related to humans. If you think about it from the asspect of Genasis ur i can't spell, but it says that man is over animals in the order of things. That's also a whole other debate, so before I start something I'm going to stop writing.

## Post 14 by tear drop (No longer looking for a prince, merely a pauper with potential!!!!!) on Saturday, 08-Aug-2009 7:42:38

I'd settle for a collar for george, but he refuses to where it, and personally thanks me when I remove the cumbersom device from around his neck.

## Post 15 by mysticrain (Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.) on Saturday, 08-Aug-2009 11:07:41

A few years ago, I adopted an older cat from the humane society, and they were the ones who microchipped him before they put him up for adoption. It was obvious that he was well cared for by his previous owners, he must have just gotten out one day. When they picked him up he didn't have fleas or any other signs that he was a stray. I know out there somewhere is someone who is mourning this absolutely great cat. But I thought it was cool that the humane society microchipped him before putting him up for adoption because I frankly wouldn't have thought of it then.

## Post 16 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 09-Aug-2009 1:00:50

There have been a few replies to this since I've read this board. If some of you are interested in finding out the cost of microchipping your cat, I can research it for you. As I said in my earliest post, I think, the US Humane Society has what they call a "chip your cat," campaign going, and I think you can get discounts on the price for doing that. Or, I'm guessing, and hoping, that those of you who have cats take them to a vet on occasion, so just give your local vet a call and ask about the price.
In the case of my cousin who did not have her cats microchipped, I guarantee you money was not the reason. She and her family are pretty well off. But I do understand money is a factor for a lot of people, though usually you can find ways to get discounts on this kind of thing.

## Post 17 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Monday, 10-Aug-2009 22:05:39

Heloo everyone. I do strongly agree that you should micro-chip your dogs, cats, and anything you have outside. Pigs and cattle and horses generally have a tattoo in their ears as do many show quality rabbits, that is if you have it done. I work in the animal shelter system in Minnesota and you wouldn't believe how many dogs, that you would think would be chipped, come in without a chip or collar, some even as old and stray as ten years and up. Some dogs we see, and there are more nowadays, are pure-breed or used for hunting and still no chip. Usually only show cats are micro-chipped because of the expense put into them, but I think any cat should be. You might think of putting a collar on your pet dog or cat with an ID tag, but collars come off or can be removed, but a chip can't. As for guide dogs being chipped. I went to San Rafel in California and they are chipped with the school information listed as contact. If you lose your guide dog, there's something extremely wrong!
Chips really are a good idea, but they aren't the biggest thing. I wish people that own dogs and cats that aren't show animals and carefully controled, would get their pets fixed! Indiscriminate breeding by stray cats or cats that get out and dogs that are chained and in season just produces more unwanted litters of animals that are brought to all ready overwhelmed shelters where they are hopefully fostered out or put to sleep, or people just allow them to run loose thinking they can take care of themselves. This process breeds disease such as FIP or FL in cats, distemper in all, Parvo in dogs or possibly even rabies. Other people just turn their adult house dogs and cats loose thinking that it can feed itself. They can't! They aren't born and raised as outside animals and generally haven't learnt to hunt. Please, get your animals fixed, this includes rabbits, guinea pigs, farrets, chinchillas, and anything else. Only if you're a responsible breeder, not more than a couple of pairs of dogs or cats or whatever, can you actually keep up with the food and cleaning required to be a licensed breeder.

## Post 18 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 10-Aug-2009 23:57:43

Amen to everything that Chinchillac just said there!

## Post 19 by mysticrain (Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.) on Wednesday, 12-Aug-2009 15:03:07

I definitely agree with all that! My dog isn't allowed out without his leash on, and my cat isn't allowed out at all. But I still have them both fixed. my dog only had one of his testicles dropped, so there was an increased chance of cancer, but even if that wasn't the case, I still would have had him fixed.
Jen

## Post 20 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Thursday, 13-Aug-2009 22:12:05

Fortunately for me Max was fixed by the clinic I got him from. I plan on getting him chipped as soon as I can afford it since as has already been pointed out collars can come off. In fact Max has managed to get his off a couple times.