Open Threads

It is, as they say, developing. But this much I know: All animal control officers and most veterinary facilities, here in Massachusetts, automatically scan “stray” animals for an RIFD chip. Even if the chip isn’t readable, or the registry’s address is out of date, an animal that has a chip is assumed to be (have been) somebody’s pet. In a high-turnover shelter, where unclaimed animals can be euthanized within as little as 24 hours, that may literally be a life-saver.

Here in the high-cost-of-living Boston area, vets charge $25 to $40 to inject the rice-grain-sized microchip between your pet’s shoulder and do the initial registration. Even for cats who never go outside, this seems like a reasonably affordable insurance policy.