[PyrNet-L] chips vs tattooing

["Pyrstar" <pyrstar@pathway.net>]

Hi,  I just placed one of my puppies that was chipped years ago with the
Schering Plough microchip as part of the ACK Home Again chip/recovery
service.   Actually, she's 7 years old and came back to me because her own
recently died.   Gail is the primary person that will be contacted and I am
the backup person should they not be able to reach Gail.   I haven't had
the chance to change this plan and have Gail removed and myself listed as
the primary contact person.   Also, I don't know how difficult this will be
since I am going to have to deal with AKC.    But, my kennel club uses the
Avid scanner and microchip and I just recently had Cirrus re-microchipped. 
  The Avid scanner read the Schering Plough microchip number-- which I made
note of even though I do have Gail's paperwork on the SP/AKC microchip.   
The Avid chip was placed close to the SP chip so that when someone was
scanning and hit immediately on a chip, they would also know of the other
chip.   I was afraid if someone scanned and hit one chip, they wouldn't
continue to scan to see if there was another chip if the location of that
chip was not close to the other chip.   And really, why should they?   But,
I was more concerned that they would find the SP chip and if I wasn't able
to change AKC's records, I might not find out asap about Cirrus' location
if she had been found.     But, should the people/organization who finds
Cirrus not have a scanner to check for microchips--Cirrus is also tattooed.
   Something else I've got check-out but don't expect too much difficulty
since it was done by the Penn Dutch Club at one of their picnics/seminars. 
  Don't know how good that is if the tattoo registry is no longer in
service or the people/organization don't know how to contact tattoo
registries.    I always have my dogs tattooed with their AKC registration
number.  In the future, I will have them tattoo the AKC registration number
and whatever number the registries use, too.    I figure if they call AKC
I'm pretty sure I'll get at least one phone call.    And, even if they
don't leave a message on my machine should I not be home--I have caller ID
and would call back anyway just to know why AKC was calling me.   I'm
naturally curious (paranoid?).

It is my understanding that the Schering Plough scanner will not read the
Avid chip number but will let the reader know that the dog has a microchip.
   If it's not a Schering Plough chip it's gotta' be the Avid chip--that's
they way I see it.   Then, I would hope that the people/organization is
responsible enough to locate someone with an Avid chip scanner.    I also
think that in the near future all scanners will be able to read any
microchip number.    It just seems the logical way to go for SP/AKC.    I
would even think other companies will start making scanners that will be
able to read both/all chips even if they don't make/offer the microchips
for chipping.    Hope this helps you.   (Go for the Avid chip.)
Jean F-V
W.PA
p.s.  I just noticed which list I'm sending to.   The Pyrnel-l machine
won't let me send anything again for a week or two (I don't think the
machine likes me!) but I'm sure sweet BB (Barb B.) will forward my
responses if any are needed.   ;-)