Well chipping in my opinion is a semi-good idea. Also take pictures of your
pets and recent ones. I have all my horses chipped as sadly it is the year
2004 and there are still horse thieves. The barn cats are chipped and so is
my cattle dog.
Rebecca

Barrnabas Coillin BarnabasCollinson@hotmail.com
writes

While you're waiting for one that is universally used across the planet, check
to see which one(s) are used  most commonly in your area (US, Canada, UK..etc).
Even if your cat is an indoor only cat, there is a chance that he/she might -
one day - get loose.  Microchipping allows you to "register" as the "owner" of
your pet. Ideally, one would have a progression of photos and veterinary bills
(along with the chip) to document that this cat (as opposed to another cat) has
been in your "possesion" for a given amount of time.  If someone finds your cat
(and wants to keep that cat) you (as the "registered" owner of a microchipped
cat) can legally proved that your cat is your cat..and get the cat back.

Without that chip it's a bit harder to retrieve your pet if the person finding
your pet doesn't want to give him/her up.  

Chipping is done by injecting the tiny microchip just under the skin. It's
safe. A scanner is used to retrieve that chip number (which, in turn, is
registered in a database).

I became convinced that chipping was a good thing after witnessing the return
of pet and "guardian."  Pet was found by a 3rd party who didn't want to give
the pet back (cause he was just too cute).. Dog was proven to belong to "owner"
and the 3rd party had no choice.

I use guardian and owner interchangably but the word "owner" should be removed
as a cultural reference.