Thoughts on getting a bunny chipped

[Eepster]

 I had meant to ask my vet about this during Porky’s check up, I we were so busy talking about neutering, that I forgot.

Do they actually chip rabbits?  have any of you chipped your bunnies?  What does it cost?  If a lost bunny goes to the pound will it occur to them to check for a chip?  Are there any side effects?

[BinkyBunny]

Not all places do, but some do! It really depends on where you live. My Vivian is chipped! She was chipped years before I adopted her. She has had it for 4 years, and there have been zero side effects. I have heard though that your bunny cannot have an MRI if they have a chip in. Bunnies don’t need MRIs often though. :9 If I remember right, chipping was around $20.   

Again whether a pound will check for it really depends on where you live. Where i live it is more common for shelters and rescues to chip rabbits, and so because of that, they will do a better job and checking for a chip. Vets offices around here also have the scanners. I’ve gone into a vets office before when I found a lost dog running through traffic. There was a vet right nearby, and so I took the dog the vet to get it scanned (I would have done the same if were a rabbit). But keep in mind, again, I live in the Bay Area which is “earthquake” friendly — meaning lots of prep work and so shelters and vets are a bit more equipped for this kind of stuff. That’s where the chip would really come in handy even for “house rabbits”.

One thing that is VERY important (and this is for any chip for any animal) is to make sure you keep you contact info updated.  After working at the SPCA, The Humane Society and volunteering for a rabbit rescue, there have been so many times when a lost animal comes in, the scanner finds a chip, bring up the contact info and you race to call the owner (who you know has to be worried) only to find out it’s an old number and there is no forwarding information.  

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Chips are less then 100 dollars. I have one bunny chipped but it has occured to me to maybe chip the other as well. There are no side effects. People may not think to check-but you never know! You might never let your bunny outside-but we have had a member whose house was burglerized and her bunny got out of his cage during it. Now if the front door had been open? Again-your bunny would have to be caught and then the person would have to be clearminded enough to take him to the humane society or pound or vet-some people just keep strays. But can’t hurt might help if it’s in the budget!

One thing that is VERY important (and this is for any chip for any animal) is to make sure you keep you contact info updated. After working at the SPCA, The Humane Society and volunteering for a rabbit rescue, there have been so many times when a lost animal comes in, the scanner finds a chip, bring up the contact info and you race to call the owner (who you know has to be worried) only to find out it’s an old number and there is no forwarding information.

Ditto Ditto Ditto

I find on average 6 or stray dogs a year (don’t ask why-no idea!) and most have out of date contact info on their chip or tag -how frustrating!! I’m updating my dogs chip tonight actually because we are going out of country so I am adding my pet sitter and parents phone number to the chip id.

[KatnipCrzy]

I had my bunnies chipped when they were spayed and neutered- if they ever happen to get loose I would do anything to get them back!! So look at it as one of those things you never want to have to need but will be so thankful if your bunny ever does get lose and has a permanent form of ID.

[Elrohwen]

I decided against it. First, my bunnies don’t go outside, so the chances of them getting lost is slim.

Second, I have read that the chips are large in size compared to a small bunny and we don’t really know if there are side effects, so I thought it was safer not to get it in my situation.

I would be willing to change my mind at some point and think they’re fantastic for dogs and cats. I would talk to your vet and get their opinion. Mine advised against it, but maybe it’s just not common in this area. I’ve never known my local rescue to chip their rabbits or even check for chips (or if they check, they’ve never mentioned finding one).

[longhairmike]

yes,, an MRI is a giant magnet and would tear the chip right out of their body. (this happens on an episode of HOUSE)

[Roxygirl]

Mine is chipped because the vet that neutered him runs a no-kill animal shelter and she requires every animal she spay or neuters to be chipped. I’m glad Heff is chipped because accidents happen and I would be devastated if he were somehow to get outside and get lost or stolen (chances are slim, we’re very careful about doors). I can’t tell you how many posts I see on Craigslist about someone finding a rabbit on the side of a road or in a park. I’d rather have the peace of mind to know that our Humane Society will check for a chip and call me, but that’s just me. 🙂

[cactuspancake]

My vet said that the skin is too thin and she’s seen the chip get dislodged and have to be removed. Also someone I know had the same issue. I would get it done if someone could do it though.

[Isabelle]

In Minnesota where I am, our humane societies (most of them) chip all the dogs/cats/rabbits/ferrets, so Dutchess was chipped when I adopted her. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice, at least that’s what I was told, and put between the shoulderblades. I believe it’s $10-$20 to chip a rabbit in my area. There are no side effects that I am aware of. I am 150% glad that there is a chip in Dutchess. Not only does it provide me with a sense of security if she ever gets out or something bad happens and she ends up at a shelter lost (I think most people who work with animals do have the sense to check for an ID tag or chip on all animals), but if she is ever stolen and someone else claims her, her chip has my info on it to prove she is mine. Not that I think people go around stealing rabbits, but you never know, and I take her to Hoppy Hour (50-70 rabbits hopping around having fun, at least that many people too), so technically anybody could grab her and run off. I’m 99.9% sure that won’t happen, but my mom is paranoid sometimes and says things like that. Anyway, I’m a definate advocate of chipping, since our buns can’t say “my mum is ______ and I live _________ ! Take me home please “

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Isabelle on 04/07/2011 08:43 AM
, but if she is ever stolen and someone else claims her, her chip has my info on it to prove she is mine. Not that I think people go around stealing rabbits, but you never know, and I take her to Hoppy Hour (50-70 rabbits hopping around having fun, at least that many people too), so technically anybody could grab her and run off. I’m 99.9% sure that won’t happen, but my mom is paranoid sometimes and says things like that. 

And unlike cats and dogs, rabbits shouldn’t wear collars, so a chip (which is indeed about the size of a grain of rice) is an alternative.  I am more like your mom too  because I’ll hear of a true story (like the time when I heard someone’s house getting robbed and they took their animals too), Then that freaks me out!  And of course there are fires, floods, tornodos,earthquakes, that could displace a surviving animal.   Okay, so yeah….maybe a bit paranoid,  but I’d be happy to at least know that if any of those did happen, and my bunny was found and scanned, I may be able to get them back . 

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