Also probably better than that is a microchip. I just read somewhere that a bunny was found that had a microchip or maybe it was a tattoo but I think the bun had been dumped. In fact I think it was on this website!

I would strongly recommend a microchip.  Microchips are a permanent form of ID.  In events of natural disaster the animal rescue workers know to scan pets for microchips.

I even microchipped my parrot in the event that he ever escapes or is stolen.  His wings are clipped and he does not go outside unless he is in a secure carrier- but parrots are known to escape sometimes when their owners do not realize their flight feathers have grown back or someone else unused to the household leaves a door or window open.

The writing in the ear is OK- but ink does not last a real long time in ears- and it does not stay incredibly legible- I have seen private litters and humane society litters of kittens and puppies marked this way.

The best time to microchip your bunny is at time of spay or neuter- but certainly can be done at other times.

Julie

oopp… I should add that a very fine point Sharpie can be used for writing in the ear.  I have never seen any negative effects on a kittens or puppies health from marking in the ear.

I would advise against tattooing- from my understanding it would not be worth it.  Letters have to be pretty big to remain clear.  And unlike microchips there is not such standardized databases.

My dogs are microchipped and I also had them tattooed- with a Michigan Dept of Agriculture tattoo- which always starts with “MI”- then numbersXXXX.   I decided to do that as a visible mean of ownership in addition to the microchip.  They are tattooed on the inner left thigh.  If anyone is curious I can always take a pic and post it in this thread.

It was done while they were awake- and while I may not term it as painful- I would term it as uncomfortable.  The area is shaved- swabbed- and then tattooed- then a triple antibiotic with topical numbing is applied.  The dogs are muzzled and laid on their side in a lateral submissive position.  My dogs were so focused on the muzzle that they had never had on before they did not seem to mind at all.  And it just took a minute to 2.  

I’ve heard mixed things about micro chipping – since not all SPCAs bother to even scan the animals coming in, which I find very distressing! But it certainly is a good idea regardless – since it can really help.

As far as marking the ears – i would not tattoo, but using a fine sharpie will work.

Does anyone have any idea what microchipping will cost? Rupert is done, he was done at the humane society, but now I want my girlies done too!!

The local low cost Spay/Neuter place charges around $40.  I do not know if this includes the activation fee or not.

Prices are really variable.  I would call your vet and ask- and you can also call local Humane Society to ask- but be sure to ask if they are comfortable microchipping a rabbit/ handling rabbits.  There is no difference in the actual microchip or placement in rabbits- but since rabbits need to be handled different you will want to make sure.

There are a couple different brands of microchips out there- some have registration fees and some do not.  Typically it can be done cheaper at a Humane Society than at your vet- as quiet a few Humane Societies either mandatory chip every pet adopted or offer it very low cost- as their objects are to reduce pet overpopulation and to reunite pets with their owners.  The sheer volume of microchips they buy can make it hard for a vet clinic to compete.  Sometimes Humane Societies can microchip a pet for what it COSTS a vet clinic to buy the chip.

Be sure to ask about registration fees.  I have seen chips that have no registration fee ever- to initially register and to ever change info- free.  But I have also seen chips that have a 1 time fee and no fees to change info if you move, etc.  And I have also seen chips that have a registration fee and an info change fee. 

The microchip market has gotten alot more competitive lately- and some companies have on-line registration- and that can reduce in no/low registration fee.  I don’t know the number off the top of my head- but it is UNBELIEVABLE how many people have not registered the microchip their pet has gotten.  The chip does trace back to the clinic/ Humane Society where it was purchased, but that is a little more difficult to track.  Our clinic and local Humane Society now have the clients fill out all info ON THE SPOT and we send in/register online to make sure initial registration is done.

So a microchip could range for $10-$60.  $10- a pet chipped at time of adoption at shelter- to $60 microchip at vet clinic with upgrade in registration fees that have included services, lost pet, emergency info, etc.

Julie

I remember when microchips were initially available on the market.  There were basically 2 different manufacturers and each manufacturer’s scans would only scan their chips.  That meant that clinics and shelters had to purchase 2 seperate scanners!  That has changed and now scanners pick up all brands of chips.  I think chipping is a great idea…I just never quite get around to putting the funds and the time aside for it.  I have heard that a Sharpie can be used for ear information. 

Jessica has an ear tattoo, from a breeder.  I tried to search it online to no avail.  I wanted to know what it meant.  Her tattoo says “tux”.  I thought maybe it was a name she had in a past life…its very clear and I’ve had her for over a year.

Sometimes breeders from larger breeding facilities tattoo the inside of an ear for identification- they might mark litters this way, etc.  But there is absolutely no way for it to be tracked down- there is no central database, etc.  EXCEPT for greyhounds- all racing greyhounds have tattooed ears- that indicates DOB, litter, etc.

IMO- if you need a visual tattoo to let you know which animal if which- you should not be breeding as you obviously have TOO MANY animals. 

I suppose if you have a barn full off purebred rabbits- for example- a breed is one standard color with no distinguishing markings- I can see where it might get tricky- but on the other hand- they are living breathing individual animals.

At horse race track they check the tattoo inside the lip to verify it is the correct horse entered in the race- and the greyhound ears are checked at the track too.

Yeah I always think how awful for Jessica to have that tattoo.  I remind myself that it is from a previous life b/f she became my evil little girl.  When I think about getting my own tattoos…it felt like a bad sunburn during the process…it makes me sad that she had to go through that as a little bunny.  I know w/ some horse tattoos they are done more like a brand than a tattoo.  Branding would be done all at once where as a tattoo is letter by letter–stroke by stroke.

Micro-chipping is a really good suggestion. When we did larger adoption events at the rescue in California, they would always adopt out the bunnies micro-chipped, now that I think about it, I think they actually did it at the adoption event, and it really didn’t seen to be difficult or painful for the bunny. If the finances are an issue, try calling around to various shelters and rescues to see what price you can get them micro-chipped for.