Microchip question

[*blackrose]

The dogs have Home Again chips. I just received an email from the company saying their annual membership is about to expire and I need to renew it. My question is will the chips still work if I *don't* renew their membership? Like, if they're scanned and their chip info is put into a database, will it still show up with my information on it, or will it just be...blank? Anybody know?

 

[AmandaNola]

Yes, the info will still be there and still be readable.

 

[*blackrose]

Yes, the info will still be there and still be readable.

Excellent, that's what I needed to know! Thanks!

 

[Ozfozz]

We have a different microchip company that doesn't have a membership fee that I'm aware of.

What special perks does the membership come with if the information is still accessible without it?
Just curious.

 

[Elrohwen]

We have a different microchip company that doesn't have a membership fee that I'm aware of.

What special perks does the membership come with if the information is still accessible without it?
Just curious.

I believe with the membership you can update your information, post a profile for your dog, and be part of a lost pet database where they send you alerts for lost pets in your area.

But yeah, it still works if you aren't a member.

 

[AmandaNola]

You can still update your info and post a pic on your dog's profile without the membership. I did it when we moved here.

 

[Dagwall]

I believe with the membership you can update your information, post a profile for your dog, and be part of a lost pet database where they send you alerts for lost pets in your area.

But yeah, it still works if you aren't a member.

You get close to all of that without paying for the membership. The membership just gives you more support/manpower if your dog does go missing for organizing a search. Your actual microchip will never stop working or be dropped from their database as far as I know. For my own curiosity I had the shelter scan Jubel to check his chip when I picked up my previous foster dog Tony. They had the scanner out to check Tony's chip before I left so I asked to do Jubel too.

I still get little new letter updates from Home Again every few months too. On top of annual membership reminders, never mind that I never did update his membership. I got a one year membership included in his adoption fee. I've logged in a updated his information a few times over the 4 years I've had him, never an issue.

 

[eddieq]

I have a home again chip in Xena. Never paid a cent beyond the cost of the chip/implanting it. I have access to update the profile, my contact info, her photo and some other basic things. I feel that's sufficient.

The paid membership has other things. From their FAQ:

As an existing HomeAgain client you are entitled to our basic recovery service for life. None of the new services (proactive recovery, emergency service, online health information) will be available to you unless you enroll with the new HomeAgain. There is an annual enrollment fee of $17.99.

 

[Ozfozz]

Ah that makes sense! I never thought of things like health concerns that could be added to the profiles.

Interesting.

 

[Grab]

They also pay up to a certain amount (either $300 or $500 to transport your dog home to you if you, say, lost them out of state or something). But yes, it still works if you don't renew. (I don't)

 

[Upendi&Mina]

Cara is chipped with home again and we ended up getting two free years. ALTHOUGH the only reason we got a second year is because Cara's microchip went MIA (her entire body was scanned with no evidence of the chip, I know it was there after being implanted because it was scanned after it was put in), I don't know if her body rejected it or it ended up being faulty. Either way I called Home Again and their customer service was great, they shipped out a new chip the same day I called after calling the vet to insure they would implant it as the vet we were seeing at the time used a different compnay, oh and threw in another year of membership.

 

[Southpaw]

Good to know, I just had a client yesterday ask me about her Home Again chip (it's not the brand we use so I know nothing about it), she wanted to know if she could just not pay any fees UNLESS her dog got lost, and then quick register him in that case. Looks like she can just not pay any fees ever and still be okay lol.

 

[momto8]

Ace, Dutchess, Roxy, and Gunner have home again. We did the updating for several years before someone said hey you dont have to do that! I can still update my info.

Kiley, however has 24 hr pet watch, they will NOT update her info unless i pay every year and they are quite rude about it.

Courtney had IDAP, i never paid anything, she was chipped and never registered, they are good about updating anytime i need them to.

Quinn/Vanna have the AKC chips, i have no idea how they work as its through my breeder and I just contact her. Quinn's chip moved and is now in his front chest area, not sure what to do about that or if there is anything to do.

 

[Elrohwen]

You get close to all of that without paying for the membership. The membership just gives you more support/manpower if your dog does go missing for organizing a search. Your actual microchip will never stop working or be dropped from their database as far as I know. For my own curiosity I had the shelter scan Jubel to check his chip when I picked up my previous foster dog Tony. They had the scanner out to check Tony's chip before I left so I asked to do Jubel too.

I still get little new letter updates from Home Again every few months too. On top of annual membership reminders, never mind that I never did update his membership. I got a one year membership included in his adoption fee. I've logged in a updated his information a few times over the 4 years I've had him, never an issue.

Good to know! I got my impressions of membership from reading their site, but either they didn't explain it well or my reading comprehension is poor.

 

[SpringerLover]

Both cats, Buzz, and Bailey have HomeAgain. I LOVE their super user-friendly website. I implanted HomeAgain in Courage/Vivien. Dani has HomeAgain as well. They make it sound like transferring ownership is difficult, but I didn't find it to be.

Gabby has Avid. They don't have a nice online site. It makes me sad.