Microchips and Pets

I came across this on the James River Humane Society web site:

MICROCHIPPING IS HERE:
Does your pet have chip on its shoulder? We are offering
microchipping for dogs at the shelter for only $25.00. This is a great gift for someone who already has a dog and wants extra security if the pet becomes lost or stolen. Appointments can be made by calling the shelter (252-0747) or 952-0410.

I've been thinking about getting a microchip for my dog, Daphne, but don't know much about it. This is what the ASPCA says about microchipping:

The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted in the animal's shoulder area, and can be read by scanner at most animal shelters.

I found this on the San Francisco SPCA's site:

In the U.S. only 14% of pets find their way back to their original owners from shelters, and more pets die each year as a result of being lost than from all serious diseases combined. While traditional pet identification methods are still recommended, they have limitations. Tags can fade, rust, or get scratched, making them impossible to read. Collars can come off or, even worse, get caught on something while your pet is wandering about, causing him physical harm.

There are other advantages to microchipping. Microchips are convenient, safe, and reliable. Implantation is simple and routine. The microchip can't be lost or damaged and it lasts for the pet's lifetime. However, the microchip won't work unless your pet is properly scanned by a microchip reader. There are some shelters and veterinarians in the U.S. that don't have readers yet. Until recently, each brand of microchip could only be read by its own brand of microchip scanner. Currently there are two brands of microchip on the market: AVID and Home Again. Not all shelters and veterinarians have the new universal reader that can be used to scan either brand of chip. However, despite these drawbacks, microchip technology can potentially increase your chances of finding, and claiming, your lost pet.

I also found an article on doggienews.com about a pet reunited with her family thanks to a microchip. Click here to read the article.