sooz22 Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 has anyone had/considered having their Rabbit microchipped? I found a website which offered to do it http://www.yorkshire-microchipping.co.uk and seen as we are having the kitties done soon I thought it might be an idea to have the buns chipped as well. In America its a current issue in the rabbit world http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/microchip.html but as they say here I am dubious that any shelter would scan a rabbit if it was handed in although the RSPCA claim to http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=RabbitsPetCare&marker=1&articleId=1154077763281. Do you think its worth while? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrinderBloke Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Personally I think chipping a rabbit, or indeed any other small animal is pretty pointless. I've done rabbit rescue and the type of places that rescue small furries, are very unlikely even own a scanner to be able to read any chips a rabbit may be carrying. The RSPCA may well have scanners and scan rabbits which end up at RSPCA Centres, but most rescued rabbits end up in small private rescues. Unlike dogs and cats rabbits are generally contained either in a hutch or indoors, unlike dogs and cats which frequently escape home and gardens and go roaming. I would also be concerned about the microchip moving under the skin of a rabbit, even a big rabbit is light on muscle compared to a cat or dog, I would think chipping a rabbit would be like trying to chip a chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooz22 Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 I would like to do it but my concern is exactly that, with the exception of the RSPCA, centers would be unlikely to check a rabbit assuming it wouldnt have a chip. They could have the animal scanned at the vets so owning a scanner isnt a big issue for most. What it really needs is a national awareness scheme to be effective but I suspect this is along way in the future. It is surprising how many rabbits escape or get lost/stolen but obviously the risk isnt as great as to a dog or cat. ive had two break free this year but have coaxed them back fortunately and we have a 'lost' (I suspect abandoned) bunny living with us at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesandtwos Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 All our parrots are chipped, though a specialist job to do it. some of the more valuable koi in my pond are too. Have know some reptile owners have their animals chipped too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooz22 Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 What is the likelyhood of those chips being checked blues? I never would have thought of chipping fish!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claire1979 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I wanted to chip my bunny, i have had my dogs and cats done so why not my bunny, My vet almost fell over laughing! My view is that while most people may not have scanners i have done my best to make sure if she did get out she could/might be returned safely. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellepotter Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I suppose the other thing to bear in mind is a lot of rescues take any new rabbits to the vets to be neutered/vaccinated/health checked before rehoming and some will routinely get rabbits scanned to check for a chip especially if its a stray. I think if there is even a small chance the rabbit will end up in a rescue that scans for chips its still worth doing as it does improve the odds of finding the rabbit. Saying that though none of mine are chipped but they are kept indoors. We will be putting some of them outside in the spring next year and they will be chipped, as there is a higher chance of theft/escape. Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotti Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I would urge anyone who is chipping in order to back them up in case of theft, to get their animal's DNA checked. I know the missing pets bureau will keep a record of the animal's DNA on file though I don't know who else would or if you could get it done at your vet's. Chips do not prevent theft and there are loopholes in the system through which an animal found to be chipped, cannot be taken off the 'new owners' if the chip doesn't belong to them. A dalmatian bitch went missing a couple of years ago, she had a chip and when the new family - who had bought her from whoever stole her - went to get her chipped, it was found that she already was. The family went through petlog to get the original owner's permission to change the chip and although the original owner wouldn't agree to it, she couldn't find out who now had the dog. Two years later, the dog was left in a pound when the family emigrated and the owner found out later that the dog had been put to sleep because they assumed she belonged to the family who left her there. A chip doesn't guarantee anything in the event of theft, unfortunately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooz22 Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 TBH I am less concerned about the theft of the rabbits than the prospect of them escaping as all my hutches are padlocked. If rabbits were routinely chipped alongside dogs and cats then the prospect of reuniting those who are genuinely lost every year would be much greater, easing the pressure on rescues and fosterers and even preventing supposedly abandoned rabbits being pts. Unfortunatley for the rabbits that are stolen every year the majority are taken to be mutilated and killed for the entertainment of sick minded individuals, not as a new family pet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotti Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Oh I know Sooz but there were some saying about theft, so thought I'd better make a point of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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