Microchips for anmals is a wonderful tool that we here at Ferret Wise Shelter take advbantage of with our adoptee ferrets. The installation of a micro chip requires NO MORE than an extra innoculation. This places the permanent ID the skin of the animal(s) above the shoulder blades. These chips have an indiviual ID number-- no two are alike. This information will aid any ferret who (companion animal, or livestock) who becomes lost or strays away from it's owners. Many animals including ferrets, dogs and cats have been reunited with their families thanks to microchip ID. This technology does not need to generate extreme paranoia. Instead we should look at all the good it can do when we have lost a pet - or if we have a dispute as to the identity of a pet (now how many folks can tell 10 sable ferrets apart from each other)? Why an Identified animal with vet records on file is as good as gold in a nip incident for there is no dispute as to whether that ferret, cat or dog is the pet that was vaccinated. Sorry to see Melinda has such a hang up-- but here in NH stating Aug 28th... thanks to a new law passed ( HB1623) in the house and senate -- ferrets will be held one week if they are turned in as a stray before dispositions are made-- on the other hand if ferrets or cats have an ID-- they will be held until they can be reunited with their families-- which option is better??? Ferret Wise runs low cost microchip ID clinics several times each year.... we do think it is a GOOD thing! For the sake of the animals!!! [Posted in FML issue 2390]