Pre Chipped pups..need to get re-chipped?

Hey All.

was wondering, my boys have already been chipped with the home again microchip, but that was a few years ago and I don't seem to know where the paperwork is for that. I'm pretty sure the vet didn't give me any when I got them chipped. Anyways since they have the home again chip already. Do I need to get the dogs rechipped again? I've looked and can't seem to find anything.

I'd check with your USDA vet. I'm taking my paperwork in next week to get it endorsed by them, and they want official documentation (which I'm scrambling to find for my dog who got chipped 3 years ago) listing the date and chip number.

You may be able to get documentation from HomeAgain, perhaps, with when the chip was put in, though it might need to be signed by a vet stating that the chip was inserted on that date.

Otherwise, if your USDA vet is lenient, you might be able to get away with a letter from your vet stating that s/he scanned your pets on X date (12/31/09, or whatever) and their chip #s were XXX and YYY, and then show that you had the rabies vaccinations/bloodwork done on Y date (after 12/31/09, in this example).

Also make sure that the chips are still there...my cat's chip couldn't be found when we scanned him, though he got chipped a few years ago. I had to re-chip him and then do the vaccinations.

Hey All.

was wondering, my boys have already been chipped with the home again microchip, but that was a few years ago and I don't seem to know where the paperwork is for that. I'm pretty sure the vet didn't give me any when I got them chipped. Anyways since they have the home again chip already. Do I need to get the dogs rechipped again? I've looked and can't seem to find anything.

I've had this problem with my cats - three of them were pre-chipped years ago, and although I have not been through the USDA vet stuff yet I can tell you that both DEFRA and representatives from the microchipping companies have advised me *not* to get my pets double-chipped (unless of course, as Equestrianerd mentioned - the chips have migrated and aren't there anymore).

The reason DEFRA gave me was that if they are scanned at the airport - and the wrong chip gets picked up - you are in for a whole heap of problems and may have to end up going through quarantine again. The reason given to me by the microchip representative was that if the microchips end up close to each other, the frequencies will interfere with each other somehow and possibly not be scannable (I of course can't remember exactly what he said now...).

Anyway, after checking to make sure the microchips can be found - I would look into asking your USDA vet specifically what kind of paperwork they will require - but double chipping simply isn't a good idea.

I am over the moon with the help I've gotten on here.. Thank you a million times over. I almost bought new chips. I will be calling my USDA vet next week to find out more information. Thanks again!