The microchip debate - Page 1

It's time for our annual order of microchips and I'm torn between the Avid chips and Home Again chips. Which do you prefer and why? I have heard about Avid microchips migrating to where they are not supposed to be. I have used both in the past.

Melissa

 As a side issue of critical importance, when you chip your dogs, be certain that you update the information if you move or change your contact information, or your vet or the person you list as an alternate contact changes location.

Secondly, I STRONGLY suggest that some months after you send in the chip information, and periodically thereafter, you contact the company maintaining the records just to make certain the information you provided was entered correctly and in the meantime was not erroneously changed. I called such a registry used for my dogs a few years ago and found that they had not only incomplete information, but in the case of some dogs, completely INCORRECT information. I suspect these companies hire people to do data entry who are not terribly careful all the time to double check their work. Errors in a chip registry make that chip useless.

On the other hand, when it is correct, it speeds up the return home for a given animal. I just had an instance this past week where a dog I found running loose was returned to his owner because I could find his chip and locate his owner.

As for brand of chip, I have used all of them and have never had a problem on probably more than 100 dogs, with the exception of the information being incorrect or incomplete on about 9 dogs.

Systems are only as useful as human error makes them.

I know some of the Micro-Chips can migrate after awhile...Have you ever had this or any similar experiences? I use the Home Again Chips because they have a "hook" that is supposed to connect to the tissue and hold it in place...

I've had one Avid chip migrate to the front chest area. Other then that, no issues with either.

I routinely check information on chips with both Avid and Home Again with the Home Again being maintained online ( which is easier).

Price is the same for either. I just wanted some opinions on the chips and if anyone else have had a certain brand migrate.

Melissa

We had a Home Again chip which became unreadable five years after implantation. We tried scanning with a variety of instruments which energized at different frequencies but the chip could not be found.

Home Again provided a free replacement and added the new chip's number to my dog's existing record. They were friendly and easy to work with.

 HomeAgain has/had (haven't checked if it changed) a bioadhesive quality that prevents migration. In all my chipped animals, all my HA chips are right where they're supposed to be. My cat's Avid is in her front leg now, and one dog's Avid is in the front of the chest/armpit area...and that's just in MY house...so I'd stick w/HA.

Also Home Again offers their extra protection plan when paid for annually $17 a year and if reported lost the pet is covered with $3,000 in accident insurance. That has been something my customers have thought was nice to have. Plus the online management is very handy. I am lucky and have a place here local that chips my puppies for $16 and it includes the first year of that extra covereage, and I get the added bonus of not have to chip them myself, needles don't bother me but that micrchip needle is a little bit much LOL!!

 Yes, I know what you mean. I lodged a needle firmly in my thumb the other day, thanks partly to a particularly stubborn pup and partly to a faulty plunger. 

I have scanned a bunch of dogs over the years and found AVID chips all over the dog. The Home again are always where they are supposde to be.I was debating this issue last year and atuck with Home Again.earlier this

After hearing everyone else's Avid problems I think I'll stick with Home Again.

Thank you all for the information.

Melissa