Approximately, do you know how much it costs to have a dog microchipped?

Question

I'm considering having my 4 dogs microchipped, because their rabies/license tags either break off, or the ring they're on weakens and comes uncoiled.

Also, is microchipping a once-in-a-life-time thing, or will they have to get microchipped every few years?

Most of you pointed out prices for small-breed dogs. I have 4 american pit bulls, so I'd imagine then that the price will probably be at least $70 per dog.

Answer 1

I suppose prices can vary depending on where you live, just like anything else. For one thing, the cost to microchip a small dog is going to be exactly the same for a larger dog. They don't use something different for different size dogs. Microchipping is a one size fits all sort of thing. It's also something that only needs to be done once and will last the full life of your pet.

Around here, my vet said he would have to charge $45 to do it. This covered the cost of the chip and the office call fee to have it put in But around the same time I planned to get our Border Collie microchipped, there was a Pet Expo being held in my area. Our local Humance Society set up a booth and offered it for only $10.

So I would suggest calling your local Humane Society/Shelter to see if something like that is going on near you any time soon. Sometimes they go to the Petsmart kind of places for a day to do it too.

Answer 2

Our local pet supply store has microchipping clinics that are like $25. Another organization does it regularly for $35. My vet charged the same ($35) for my small dog.

As mentioned, microchipping is a one time thing. The chip stays in the dog for life. It's basically injected between the shoulder blades. If your dog ends up at a shelter or at a vet's office, they will often scan for a chip. Once found, it will give a code that can then be linked to your information by contacting the chip company.

Your dogs still should wear tags - buy a keychain type ring for them and use that rather than the flimsy crappy rings that come with them.

I hope this helps. : )

Answer 3

Check with at least 3-4 vet clinics in your area. Ask if they will give a discount for all 4 dogs at the same time and compare their prices first.
I breed Russian Blue cats and the cost of micro-chipping has really come down, but it depends on your area. For example: one of my kittens was chipped for $17 and another $34 recently by their respective new owners.
By making a few phones call, you may save 50%. It could cost only $68 at one veterinary practice or $136 at another.
Use a yellow page search with your zip code to get a listing, then use a map to find out how to drive there, maybe worth an extra few miles if you find a vet that is cheaper.
Remember each vet clinic is individually owned and the prices, service etc vary greatly. Also there are about three companies now with the service/devices for pets.
I recommend doing it especially in metro areas were a lost pet can be scanned by shelter personnel and returned home.

Answer 4

Microchipping is a once in a life time thing. It is the equivalent of a tattoo. It is fairly cheap, your vet will have prices.

But it is not a replacement for licensing or rabies tags. Your dogs will still need to wear these tags if it is required by your municipality, even if they are microchipped.

A microchip is more like a serial number that has been registered. It will help you get your dog back and provide a proof of ownership and there are things you can attach to it like for example you can authorize up to a specified dollar amount of emergency vet care so they can start working on your dog while they are looking for you.

check this out http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/a/microchpping.htm

Answer 5

hello. I work at a vet clinic. Microchips are inserted under the dogs skin, usually between their shoulder blades. And it will last a life time. When the chip is inserted, and scanned, a number will come up. Who ever scans it will search the computer and your information will come up. The cost to get microchipped where i work is $42 plus like a $15 fee that you pay to the microchipping company to send in your info and have it registered into the database. I think it is well worth is to get your dogs microchipped. The tags ont he collars do fall off sometimes, and people mistake them as strays. Good Luck, i hope this helps.

Answer 6

Where I work, microchipping is approx. $80 Cdn. A well-placed chip is for life and should always read on a scanner. The problem is that microchips give only the owner's contact info. There is nothing there to verify vaccine status, which is VERY important if your dogs are ever picked up by Canine Control. Try to keep rabies tags on them, as a minimum safety precaution.

Chipping is a FANTASTIC idea, though! Any stray dog we get is scanned before anything else happens to them. It makes reconnecting lost pets with their owners MUCH easier and faster!!

Answer 7

The price ranges from $25 (at the local pound here) to $40 each (at my vets office). The price should not be different between small dogs and big dogs, because it is the same chip for each size dog.

I would recommend that you get them chipped at a shelter or pound, because there are different types of chips out there and not every pound has the exact type reader. Good luck to you! You sound like a very responsible owner!

Answer 8

Microchipping isn't expensive if you find the right place. It also doesn't go by weight. We had our dogs microchipped at Animal Control (SPCA in my area) for $10 each, two Labs and one Mix breed of Golden Retriever and St. Bernard. I'm sure your local SPCA will do this as well, just call and ask.

Answer 9

Dogs are property. You have physical possession of the property. You can prove an ownership interest in the property. You have had full custody and control of the property for the better part of the last year. The dog is yours. When you tell him he's not having the dog back you need to be polite and factual. Do NOT acknowledge any past "visitation" arrangement. Simply say that the dog belongs to you, the dog has been with you for over a year, you have fully and completely supported the dog for over a year - and you do not appreciate his attempts to try to use the dog as a way to insert himself back into your life. Tell him that you do not bear him any ill will and you hope he is able to move on and have a happy life, but you have not intention of allowing him to use the dog to insert himself back into your life.

Answer 10

You may want to check at you local shelters: sometimes they have lower cost programs to get it done, or will reccomend a vet who charges less.

They only get chipped once, but if you move, it is up to you to forward your correct info & sometimes there is a charge for that. The last thing I read said the chips are good for 25-30+ years - way past the age of most pets!