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I'm curious about that as well. I just want the best for my kitty!
The microchip is tiny and inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades. I usually like to have it done while the cat is fixed but 2 have been done as necessary. When I had Clover chipped my friend was the technician and she said he didn't flinch a muscle. Its a large gauge needle but it dosen't have to go in very far, unlike an injection that has to go into the muscle.Originally Posted by babyharley
I've always wondered about microchipping, how do they do it?
Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
If your cat is scratching at the collar, it may be because she's just not used to the sensation, or perhaps the collar is too tight? (make sure you can fit a couple of fingers through it next to her neck). It might be that the fabric texture irritates her - if just loosening the collar a bit doesn't work, you can find silk safety release collars at the pet store (I think Sporn is the brand), or Beastie Bands - they are nice because they're so lightweight that most cats hardly notice them on.
hth
That is a good point about the microchips - but to my understanding all of the scanners can detect the presence of any microchip - it's just that some of the basic models of scanners can't read the microchips of competing companies - so if the shelter doesn't have a universal scanner, the shelter can tell there's a microchip there, but may have to get a different reader to read the number. However, most shelters have universal readers that can read any microchip - Avid and HomeAgain both distribute universal readers to shelters free of charge.Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45
When I was showing HHP's in the 70's the judges remarked about "collar" marks on the necks of some cats - was usually an indication the cat spent time outside and that was frowned on.
IMO indoor cats don't need to be wearing collars.
One other mention on the microchipping (just found it out recently from my labrador message board). There are 3 companies making them and none are compatable with another. Which means that the shelter must have 3 different scanners (one for each company). Most shelters do not have all the scanners; so if you are with one company and the shelter has a scanner with a different company the microchip will NOT be read. Keep that in mind - may want to check with your local shelters before you spend the money on microchipping.
The cat has to be scanned then they get the ID # and call the registry then your address and phone number will be provided (sometimes vets will register the cat through their vet clinic since people move around and the vet keeps your info on file).Originally Posted by Nekomimi
So if you get your kitty chipped is it possible for YOU to track it? Or does a shelter have to come across your kitty? Like someone else mentioned, I'm afraid that someone else would want to keep my kitty.
Great post! I was typing mine at teh same time. I think yours made more sense than mine did. It would make sense that all scanners would detect a chip, I hope that is the case.Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
That is a good point about the microchips - but to my understanding all of the scanners can detect the presence of any microchip - it's just that some of the basic models of scanners can't read the microchips of competing companies - so if the shelter doesn't have a universal scanner, the shelter can tell there's a microchip there, but may have to get a different reader to read the number. However, most shelters have universal readers that can read any microchip - Avid and HomeAgain both distribute universal readers to shelters free of charge.
If you're considering microchipping, you might want to call your shelters and ask if they check for microchips, and what kind of scanner they have, and if it's a universal scanner. If it isn't a universal scanner, you can direct them to Avid or HomeAgain for a free one. I have read that the Banfield chips aren't compatible, so you may want to research that if you're considering a Banfield chip.
My animals all have the Avid microchip - just to be safe, I had the Humane Society scan my dog with their HomeAgain universal reader, and her number showed up on it just fine - so I feel better about it now.
As for the collars...even though you may do your best to keep your cats indoors, it is a definite possibility that an indoor cat may accidentally get outside at some point in time - careless guests, maintenance workers, burglary, house fire, a window left open, a clever door-opening cat, a natural disaster - there are all sorts of things that can happen.
And if any of my cats ever get outside, I want them to be readily idenitifiable as a pet, so that they can be returned to me. The easiest way to make sure a cat can be identified as a pet is with a safety collar & tag - people are becoming more educated about microchips, but a safety collar & tag immediately identify a cat as a pet, while a microchip serves as a safety backup in case the collar & tag are lost and the cat ends up at a shelter.
My 2 cents
Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
Actually, when my cats lose their Beastie Band collars it's usually because they stretched and came off over their heads in a wrestling match. I've never seen the Velcro release, though it probably would - mainly it's just that it might irritate the skin less because there's no buckle. I mainly prefer the Beastie Bands because the cat's don't seem to notice them at all because they're so light.
Cool names for your kitties! YOu must be a Harry Potter fan as well..so am I,lol! I havent microchipped Ash yet, but since reading this thread I am thinking of doing it.Originally Posted by Lucius&Cissa
All three of my cats were microchipped recently. Bella when she had her spay a few weeks ago, Cissa just 2 days ago, and Lucius today. Now I want to buy them collars and tags. Thanks for the encouragement.