When   you consider all the unexpected disasters that happen,
microchipping is "insurance".   Yes, even a housecat should be
microchipped.  It doesn't cost much and doesn't seem to huirt them.  MLB

All 4 of mine are indoor-only, or at least, they can't wander beyond the
enclosure. But, they're all collared, and all are microchipped.

No, all the chips aren't universal, there's differences between them. However,
from what I understand, ALL scanners will detect the presence of a chip, even if
the actual code can't be read. Then, the shelter/animal control officer, etc.,
would have to try until they used the right scanner.

I have my cats scanned by the vet during their wellness each year to make sure
the chip is still "visible".

how much does microchipping generally cost in the US (i did a google search
and turned up UK and .au prices, but nothing US)

The cat clinic we use began offering microchipping this year. The system they
use is HomeAgain; you can read about it here:
http://www.homeagainid.com/homeagain/faq.cfm#10
According to our vet, the scanners in use now can read nearly any kind of
microchip. A few years ago that was apparently not the case. Last year we
brought a stray cat to a different vet in our area and he scanned her for a
chip (she didn't have one) and he said the same thing, that nowadays the
scanners in use will pick up any brand of microchip.

I heard of a situation in which someone's house was broken into and her pets
escaped the house. She got them all back again because they were found, turned
into a shelter who scanned them and read their microchips. That's all it took
to convince us that it's worth doing--in our area, the shelters and most vets
seem to be scanning all stray pets that come in as a matter of course.

As I understand it, when the cat is scanned the registration number comes up.
The vet or shelter calls the company's recovery center and they look up the
number in their database. They will have the contact info there that you have
furnished. With HomeAgain, we gave secondary contacts would would call us if
they could not reach my husband and I first. They also have the contact info
for our vet.

Yes, it's a really good idea. If your animal should end up lost or in
the custody of animal care and control - in the US at least, they have
a chance at being euthanized before you can track them down. Normally,
after the cat is chipped, you get a collar tag that says the name of
the company (mine are with AVID). And even in the event of a lost
collar, the shelter will be able to determine that there IS a chip
which may be enough to save the cats life. Totally worth doing. I wish
all the shelters would do it automatically prior to adoption.

They do seem to be universal.  Meep was originally 'chipped here in
England in 1999.  Her chip was readable in both Australia and the
United States.  I think it's an AVID.  It has stayed exactly where it
was put, and has caused no problems.  Occassionally I can feel it when
giving her a deep shoulder massage.  She's completely unaware that
it's there, and behaved no different on its insertion than she does
for any shot.

This has been mentioned already, but you need to register the cat/chip
with a centralized database.  The chip just returns a number that the
vet or shelter can enter into a search, which will return your
information if you're registered (which means if you move, you need to
update your info!).  You'd probably be told this when you originally
get the cat chipped, but if you move overseas, you'd have to
reregister in your new country.

In England, as far as I can tell, there's only one central database,
which makes things easier.  I was unaware of one in Australia, though
I imagine they do exist, and in the US I think there's a number to
chose from.

I also have the vet check and make sure Meep's chip is still readable.
I also put the chip# in the little id cylinder on her collar.

Meep, aside from being a worldwide traveller, is an indoor cat.  Even
if we stayed in one place, she'd still be chipped.  Things happen,
cats get out, can get lost, the chip will help her find her way home.

jmc
usenet [at] jodi [dit] ws
Any day you learn something isn't a total waste.