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| Yes | 68% | 17 votes | Total: 25 votes | |
| No | 32% | 8 votes |
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Add to FavoritesWhen any animal is adopted out to a family there are smiles, excitement and endless possibilities, but there are also always questions. Where did this animal come from? What has this animal been through? Will this animal's past affect its future in its new home? Because of new technologies we are able to answer some of these questions. Microchips are used to store information about the pet's owner and where they come from. This information is then carried with them wherever they roam.
When our pets become lost and turn up at an animal shelter they scan for a microchip. If that microchip is found and the information on it is retrieved, there can be a phone call that relieves one family of its stress and fear of loss. If the shelter is unable to contact the family or they refuse to claim their pet then at least the shelter knows the general area the pet came from by the address of the owner. This will give the workers at the shelter a better idea of what the animal is accustomed to. There are stories of animals traveling great distances away from their home. If the animal is from Texas and manages to make it to Colorado it might be better to adopt it out to a more similar climate.
Microchips are not tracking devices as some may say. They are scanned like a barcode on a product. This may seem cruel or degrading to some, however there is no map like a GPS that can pinpoint the exact location of all the pets in the world who bear a microchip. It is simply a small technological I.D. tag that doesn't have to be taken out to change the information. Unlike a tag on a collar, a new one doesn't need to be purchased if the information changes. You can simply have the information changed in the system, instantly informing your vet, shelters and animal hospitals. It really isn't so much different than having a tag engraved at your local pet supply store.
As far as the concern of discomfort of the pet, there is no need to fear.. As long as you have a well trained professional performing the procedure there is little or no pain involved. The chip is so tiny it is inserted just under the skin with a needle. Many pets don't even notice the small prick. There will always be variations in animals just as there are humans. Think of it, if you will, like humans giving blood. To some the prick of the needle is hardly noticeable, while to others it is a more serious experience. In hardly any situation, however, is it dangerous.
If the price is the main concern then look into the programs offered by your local animal shelters. Many shelters offer cost assistance for neutering/spaying as well as microchips. If you don't have a pet but are looking to obtain one, seriously consider adopting one from a shelter. Most shelters adopt out their pets with microchips already in place and the cost is included in the adoption fee. Volunteers work hard and donate their time and money to help devoted owners take care of their pets and take responsibility of them.
While the benefits may seem endless and the negative effects minimal, there is still the question, should every pet have a microchip. I would say that is a matter of personal choice given to the owner. There are animals that will never be outside in their lives, (small rodents, fish etc.) and to spend such an amount of money might seem excessive. At the same time, there are animals who while their lives are intended to be spent indoors, might not know what to do with themselves if ever trapped outdoors. There are many reasons to microchip your pet and also those to refrain from doing so. This is why I believe there should not be a rule or law requiring all pets to have microchips, but if your pet would ever have the smallest possibility of getting lost, running away, chasing something out of the yard and into an unfamiliar neighborhood, then ask yourself if you would want your pet returned to you. If you answer yes, then there is no reason not to get your pet a microchip. Pets can get lost or confused and realize their fun adventure isn't fun anymore, only to find it is too late and they are lost. Help your pet find their way home. There's no reason not to.
Learn more about this author, Kara Crumrine.
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No
Pets are important, and no one doubts that. Having a dog or a cat can help reduce stress for an individual, and help bring together a family. They teach responsibility to young children; many people treat their pet as one of the family. Everyone is saddened by the loss of a family pet and when Gina, the puppy yellow lab has run away from home. Gina can send entire neighborhood in a frenzy looking for her; friends, neighbors, and people walking down the street will scour the area for hours. However a universal rule requiring some sort of microchip to be placed into any animal, regardless of the intention, is not the solution. No, not all pets should have microchips implanted to help prevent getting lost. Not every pet needs a tracking device; this is leading to a frightening trend in our society which relies too much on technology not fully proven safe or cost effective.
It is unrealistic to think that every pet needs a microchip placed in them. Think of Nemo, the fish who swims in a bowl or small tank his entire life. He is not going anywhere, and he doesn't need to be tracked by a microchip that would be a significant size for his body. What about Brian the gerbil? We all have costs that we have to maintain with our pets, and this is just one more cost to put a microchip in a pet that really doesn't need one. Brian the gerbil lives in a cage and does not need an extra cost burdened on his owners if they so chose.
With current technology, it is entirely possible to put a microchip in every pet we own. But how much do we really know about this new technology? Some studies suggest there may be a link to cancer and cell phones. Asbestos is now linked to cancer was widely used as insulation in homes. What if these devices, started with good intentions, however small, however non intrusive, can be linked to cancer or birth defects either in the animal or even humans ten, twenty, or thirty years down the road? There are second and third order effects that come with a seemingly small decision and even though it may look great in the short term, a couple of extra minutes searching for a Misty the black cat and you may find her a lot closer than you think.
Lastly, almost everyone has good intentions; a small seeming harmless rule about a microchip in a pet may have long term consequences. A microchip in a pet will lead to a microchip in a child, later an adult. Soon everyone will have a microchip and people with access will be able to tell your exact position. While it may not come to that for some time and may never be used in a bad way, if access is given to the wrong people it could be great information value to a person who means someone in your family harm.
We should use technology to our advantage, we do have good intentions, and there are pets in this world where you may want to put a microchip in to make finding that pet easier when they run away, or someone else to identify Sally, your family's most beloved calico cat, but to think that all pets should have a microchip in them is not be the best choice in the long run.
Learn more about this author, Stephen Murphy.
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