Dear Anon:
 
        I had two cats and a dog implanted with microchips about 2 years
ago.  The vet used a instrument that looked like a large syringe, that she
slipped under the skin in the shoulder blade area, she pushed the plunger
and "voila" the chip was implanted.  The chip is the size of a grain of
white rice.  My mother has all fifteen of her various breeds of parrots
implanted with microchips (birds are implanted in the chest area under the
skin).  I am considering implanting my ferret, Taz, since it is not too
expensive and I find that I worry less about my pets that do have
implants.  The animal shelters in my area have scanning devices and
hopefully my animals will be returned to me alive.  I always remind the
vet of the implanted chips when the critters have their annual
vaccinations, since most injections are in the shoulder blade area.
        I also enjoy the "Ferret Comic" in the strip NON SEQUITUR by
Wiley.  My mom alerted me to the comic first...then several people at
work brought me in a copy.  I had to laugh.
 
Debbie and Taz
[Posted in FML issue 0988]