Probably stupid microchipping question

[donthasslethehoff]

We have 2 dogs. They're both microchipped. I suck and every year I always forget to pay the $15 yearly fee to Homeagain (I think that's the name). I end up paying it, but it usually lapses for a couple of months.

By not paying this fee, does it mean that the microchips don't work if my dogs were to get lost, be found, and then get scanned?

[cmeon]

You absolutely don't need to pay an annual fee. I honestly don't recall the "benefits" that come along with their annual membership (a "pet health emergency line" is there, IRRC), but, once you've registered your pet the first time, they remain in the database under your information (which you can update as needed). No yearly fee necessary for those things.

[donthasslethehoff]

Thanks. That's what I was hoping and really couldn't figure out WHY I should pay it.

[cmeon]

You're good. Just make sure all info is up to date!

[Deleted]

I'm relieved to hear this! I didn't renew my dog's membership this year and was worried that it "cancels" her microchip. Thanks for the info!

[locarb]

Don't need to pay it. I found a dog, brought it to vet for microchip detection and they found the latest owner in the system. Assuming your contact info has not changed, you're in the clear.

[Norticprincess]

The fee is for them to spam the vets and their email list with a lost poster with THEIR 800 number on it. Vs your number. HomeAgain. You can update the info at any time without paying a yearly fee. If you are worried you'll forget to update you can put a secondary contact in. (Dog has this brand put in at the vet - the techs went over the yearly billing thing being for the extras not for the chip. The extras being optional. )



24 hr pet watch. Free to update for 2 years. Then a small fee to update later. (Cat had this brand. It was put in at the SPCA chip clinic. It was cheaper initially too)

[niemand88f]

Jul 17, 2014 1:41:13 GMT -5 Norticprincess said:

The fee is for them to spam the vets and their email list with a lost poster with THEIR 800 number on it. Vs your number. HomeAgain. You can update the info at any time without paying a yearly fee. If you are worried you'll forget to update you can put a secondary contact in. (Dog has this brand put in at the vet - the techs went over the yearly billing thing being for the extras not for the chip. The extras being optional. )



24 hr pet watch. Free to update for 2 years. Then a small fee to update later. (Cat had this brand. It was put in at the SPCA chip clinic. It was cheaper initially too)

Thanks for this info. All my cats have HomeAgain except my new kitten who got a 24 hr pet watch chip. The paperwork for both kinds is so confusing and unclear about what the fees cover and I'm sure a lot of people just pay it every year thinking the chip won't work without it.