Top Ten Reasons to Microchip

Microchipping is the process of implanting a device under your pet's skin that can be read with a scanner and used to positively identify your pet. There are reasons to have you pet bird microchipped and some reasons not to have your pet bird microchipped. This is often a personal decision that can/must be made by you and only you. There are some good resources on the internet about this topic and this list just briefly covers the subject. Check out the links at the bottom of the list to get more information about microchipping your pet bird.

1. Good investment - as the ad goes...
   Microchipping ..... $50
   Annual Registration Fee ..... $15
   Recovering Lost Pet ..... Priceless
2. 'Permanent' positive ID - Microchipping is accepted in the Dog world by most organizations as a method of positive identification. While not challenged in courts (US) yet, there's little reason to believe that it wouldn't withstand the challenge
3. Less Dangerous Than A Leg Band - Leg bands can get caught on toys causing serious injury or death
4. May Recover a Stolen Bird - Imagine the surprise when an unsuspecting thief takes their stolen booty to a vet only to get BUSTED when the vet scans it. This can also happen if the thief sells the bird and the new owner presents it to a vet
5. Lost bird May Be Returned - This is the intended application for the microchip. Shelters and vets can scan for most implanted microchips and use that information to contact the owner.
6. Can't Be Easily Removed or Lost - Unlike leg bands, the implant can't be easily removed (by thieves) or accidentally lost by the bird or pet owner.
7. It's Small and Unobtrusive - The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice (12mm) so it's small and unobtrusive. Unlike a leg band, like a bracelet on a convict, which can be annoying and get in the way.
8. They're Safe - There was a study that linked "Microchip Implants to Cancer" but it came from an uncontrolled study on laboratory mice and rats, which were bred for cancer research and have a genetic predisposition to developing tumors. A quick Google search will reveal sites that still make this claim as well as sites that claim this is a myth.
9. It May Be Required - Traveling abroad sometimes requires a positive match between your pet and it's 'papers'. Also some cities in the US are looking at requiring microchipping of some animals to cut down on having to kill lost/abandoned pets at shelters.
10. Microchips Last For The Life Of Your Pet - Studies have shown that microchips typically last at least 25 years which is enough for most animals but can be expected to last longer. There are no batteries or moving parts in the devices so they are very reliable and long lasting.

Looking for more information? Here's a few links that you may want to check out.

• Kibibi's Top Ten Reasons NOT to Microchip - Check out the other side of the coin before deciding if you want to microchip your pet bird or parrot.
• HowStuffWorks - Microchipping - Great source for understanding the Microchipping process.
• Dolittler - Microchipping - Great source for looking at some of the 'cons' for Microchiping
• Pet Travel - Microchipping - Great source for travelers considering Microchipping