GPS Microchip Implants For Dogs - Any Suggestions ?

[Jeff '79]

Maddie, our miniature Schnauzer, is going in to be spayed in a few weeks.
While she is there, I thought it would be a good idea to get her "chipped"
1) Is it worth it / recommended ?
2) Is there such a chip that is an actual GPS chip, as opposed to just the scannable one?
It would bee cool to have an app on our phones to be able to track the dog if it got away, instead of someone finding it, taking it to the pound, and the warden scanning & calling us.

[Mike Mercury]

[VITE1]

As far as I know there are no chips that have GPS that can be implants yet.

There are several dog collars that have GPS.

[Bill]

What you are going to get from the vet is a RFID chip, about the size of a rice grain, that can be scanned, well, by a RFID chip reader.

A GPS tracker is something entirely different, and could be worn as a collar, but the issue is, it needs battery power, and batteries need to be changed fairly often. That might be an option for short term needs, but it isn't a "set and forget" solution.

The RFID chip comes in handy if your dog ends up at a shelter or vets office after being lost. They can contact the chip maker and get your info from them, to reunite you with your dog.

[Sea Six]

I use PetLink

The two time Molly has gotten away (loud noises can frighten her to the point she Nopes the f'k out) I got a call from PetLink telling me where she was.

There is an 800# on a collar tag that a nice rescuer called, and then PetLink called me with the caller's info.

You can put your own number on the collar but if you're going to get it chipped anyway then put that tag on as well.

It comes with a cheap rubber tag but you can buy a more durable metal one from PetLink for less than $10.

[Bill]

+1 for collar with the dog's name and your phone number, embroidered in large font. Also, a tag with lots of info is good. Your address, alternate phone number and name is helpful.

That was instrumental in getting Champ back many times.

[Cybercowboy]

We have had all our pets (well, cats) chipped as soon as we could. It's not expensive and gives you an extra peace of mind.

[MrPeabody]

Don't have it done at your vet. They will charge a lot more. Call your local SPCA to see where to get it done cheap, if not by them. They set up clinics on Saturdays here at some of the pet or ag supply stores.

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Don't have it done at your vet. They will charge a lot more. Call your local SPCA to see where to get it done cheap, if not by them. They set up clinics on Saturdays here at some of the pet or ag supply stores.

And a lot of the time, it's being done voluntarily by the same veterinarians and vet techs that are charging the big bucks at their own clinics.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

All my dogs are chipped.

[JRD77VET]

GPS will require a rechargeable collar.

We use "Home Again" RFID chip. Costs $20 a year and we feel it's money well spent.

[StaticCling]

We have an Avid brand microchip in Sam. All of our previous dogs that have since passed away had Avid brand microchips as well (Izzy and Dixie). Izzy and Sam were pound dogs, and the Animal Shelter here includes it on an adoption. Since we got Sam from our neighbor, we had to pay a small fee to have the chip information transferred into our name.

When Dixie dog was alive, and since we found her on the street, the Veterinarian did the microchipping, I can't remember the cost.

[LilRedCorvette]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

GPS will require a rechargeable collar.

We use "Home Again" RFID chip. Costs $20 a year and we feel it's money well spent.

Cosmo's chip is through Home Again also. The nice thing about them is they send out email alerts, often with pet photos, of pets reported lost in your area so that you (and others) can BOLO for them.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Don't have it done at your vet. They will charge a lot more. Call your local SPCA to see where to get it done cheap, if not by them. They set up clinics on Saturdays here at some of the pet or ag supply stores.

Originally Posted by Sea Six

And a lot of the time, it's being done voluntarily by the same veterinarians and vet techs that are charging the big bucks at their own clinics.

Is $45.00 a lot to get it done?
Maddie will already be under, as she is getting spayed, so for $45.00, I might as well have the Vet do it.

[Sea Six]

I don't recall what I paid.

They don't charge a periodic fee for taking lost dog phone calls with mine.

[69camfrk]

Your dog reminds me of my Schnauzer when he was a pup. He is old and crusty now, and doesn't like it when you wake him up!

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Is $45.00 a lot to get it done?
Maddie will already be under, as she is getting spayed, so for $45.00, I might as well have the Vet do it.

We paid $10 at an ag store clinic. Also watch out for the vet charging you an annual fee for maintaining the registration. That is not necessary.

[VatorMan]

We use whistle GPS. It alerts you instantly if the pet leaves the area you select.