A microchip is universally helpful for puppy, pet owner, and you, the breeder.
For the Puppy
The immediate importance of pet identification (ID) is often overlooked. This is because pet owners know they will be keeping a watchful eye on their newest family member for successful house-training and to make sure the puppy does not get into something dangerous or chew on something he should not.
By ensuring the puppy has a permanent ID from a microchip, you have taken the extra step to show how much you care about the lifetime well-being of the pet in his forever home. And, the puppy has a safety net that will help him be reunited with his owner, in case the unexpected happens.
For the Puppy Buyer
When selling a puppy, show the pet owner how the microchip works. It is important for new pet owners to know the microchip is located between the puppy’s shoulder blades, and how the microchip scanner reads it. Scan the pet and show them the ID number on the scanner. Some may be surprised that the scanner only displays the chip ID number, expecting it to work more like an online directory or a GPS system.
After this demonstration, you have the perfect opportunity to complete the puppy’s microchip enrollment paperwork. Explain that without pet owner information linked to the microchip, no one will know who to call if the puppy is lost.
The puppy buyer should then enroll the microchip with AKC Reunite — in fact, the owners can save up to 25 percent when they choose AKC Reunite with their AKC registration. Otherwise, the puppy buyers can complete the microchip enrollment via the HUB, or you can provide them with the enrollment form that came with the microchip.
If the puppy owner completes the paper enrollment form, request payment for the microchip enrollment fee. Sometimes, breeders choose to bundle the fee with the price of the puppy; other times a separate check is requested to cover the enrollment fee. Do not rely on the pet owners to mail in the enrollment form; you should mail it for them. With all the excitement a new puppy can bring, the microchip paperwork is often forgotten.
Then, show the new owners that their puppy’s microchip number is on their puppy contract and registration papers, further demonstrating how much you stand behind the health and welfare of the dog.
For You, the Breeder
For many breeds, it is difficult to distinguish puppies from one another. A microchip can make certain you know exactly which puppy you sold to whom. By documenting the puppy’s microchip ID number in your contract, you are protected, and if a concern arises, you can concretely verify if you were the breeder of the puppy.
AKC Reunite appreciates breeders’ concern for the lifelong welfare of their puppies. That’s why, as the microchip purchaser, you will always be linked to the puppy’s microchip. By enrolling each puppy’s microchip at the time he is sold, you know the pet owner will be the first person contacted in an emergency.
Microchips also meet the permanent ID requirement for a responsible breeding program. To accept test results from health registries, such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), AKC requires that the dog have a permanent ID, such as a microchip, at the time of testing.
Please note: if you rely solely on microchips as your form of dog identification, it is important to have access to a universal microchipping scanner. Review your local statutes and regulations, as you may be required to have a scanner on the premises.
To learn more, go to www.akcreunite.org or call 800-252-7894 to “meet” your dedicated microchipping consultant, who will be your point of contact to tailor a program that works best for you.
SPECIAL OFFER! Use coupon code NEWS18 for AKC Reunite microchips at significant savings. Offer expires 9/5/2018 and is not redeemable for microchips with prepaid enrollments.