Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 12:18:40 -0400
From: leela ellis
Subject: Lost Dogs, Collars and Chips
Several years ago, my husband and I found a wonderful dog in a “kill shelter” up in Virginia. After he cleaned up and was behaving properly, we took him to our vet. The first thing the vet did was take a scanner and scanned our “new” dog for a micro-chip to ascertain if he had belonged to someone who had loved him. No chip was found …. He didn’t have one. And although the Virginia dog shelter had also scanned the dog for a chip, and advertised for him, and put his picture on the internet and Petfinder, no one ever came forward to claim him. So that wonderful dog was going to be put down (until we stepped in and adopted him).
We waited several months, gave our “new” dog a name, and then decided to have the vet give our dog a micro-chip which identified him, and gave information about how to return him should he be lost.
Back then, I think it was $60 we paid to have the vet give our wonderful dog a micro-chip. And although he never strayed, our hearts felt it was well worth the $60. That dog was part of our family.
So I agree with Elliot Cramer. Collars with proper identification allow lost pets to be returned promptly to their homes. I would also add that if there is any question as to whether the pet can wear a collar or might lose a collar, it is best to talk to a good vet about micro-chips.