Will My Japanese Chin Be Microchipped?

Yes. We used to only microchip puppies by request, but we feel that this technology is so important that we
now microchip all of our puppies when they are old enough. The process is painless and does not have any
lasting adverse reactions to the puppy. You will receive an application to the National Registry through Avid.
We encourage you to fill out the application and send it to the Registry to transfer the number to your name
and address.

What Type of Microchip Does Illusion Japanese Chin Use?

We use and recommend Avid Brand microchips. If you are an international customer, we offer the Avid
Eurochip, which fulfills the requirement of the pet schemes to most European countries. If your veterinarian of
choice cannot read the chip, make sure that they have a Universal scanner that can read your type of chip. The
Banfield Veterinary Hospitals have manufactured their own private chip that is read at a different frequency
than that of the Avid microchip. You may need to take your pet to a different veterinarian to have the chip
read if you use this type of clinic.

Using Microchip Technology

The microchip has many uses, but when the American Kennel Club adopted it for the Companion Animal
Recovery (CAR) program pet owners were given a new way to protect their pets. This technology can be used
in any kind of animal at any age and it will last for their life. The microchip is an effective form of permanent
identification. It is slightly larger than a grain of rice and is placed just under the skin by a veterinarian. It is
unique because it has an anti-migration cap that helps prevent movement within the pet's body. Each chip is
encoded with a unique and unalterable identification code that can only be activated when read by a scanner.


How Does CAR Work?

CAR was founded in June 1995 by the AKC to help reunite lost pets with their owners. As a not-for-profit
organizational affiliate to the American Kennel Club, CAR is dedicated to providing lifetime recovery services
for microchipped and tattooed pets. After a pet has been microchipped or tattooed, the ID number is enrolled
with CAR who maintains a worldwide enrollment database and a recovery service that works 24-hours-a-day,
365-days-a-year. Shelters and veterinarians throughout the United States use scanners when a lost pet is found.
A call to the 800 number of CAR is simple and efficient. AKC/CAR has as its goal to eliminate those "LOST
PET" signs from our neighborhoods by encouraging owners to ID their pet(s)with a microchip.

Why is Microchipping Recommended?

We know from experience that microchipped pets have the best chance of recovery because the microchip is a
permanent form of identification, which is easily scanned. While tattoos are a good form of identification lost
pets are usually frightened and reluctant to let strangers search their bodies for their identification. Not only
are tattoos difficult to find but many fade or blur over time. Collar tags also work but many come loose and are
lost. Tags and tattoos should be considered the second form of protection and identification.

The problem for most owners is that they do not expect to lose their pet, and when they do, it becomes their
worst nightmare. Think back to the number of signs that we have all seen in our own neighborhoods. That
"LOST PET" sign is a reminder that something went wrong. The unfortunate part of this is that thousands of
unidentified pets are lost and may never be recovered. Some fall victim to theft, others are displaced during
hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Those "Lost Pet" signs serve as a constant reminder
that someone is missing a beloved pet. Our pets deserve better.

Who Scans for Microchips?

Animal shelters, rescue agencies, animal control officers, and veterinarians are increasingly and routinely
scanning found pets. In 1995, CAR established a scanner fund to place scanners at this "front line." Thanks to
the efforts of CAR who donated over $1 million toward this important initiative, many shelters in America use
scanners to check every new admission for a microchip.

What Happens When My Pet is Found?

When pets are found CAR can respond if the pet is identified. In the first years (1995-2000) CAR enrolled
over 800,000 pets. What makes the CAR program work for owners and those who recover a lost pet is the
toll-free 800 number and the CAR staff of Recovery Coordinators who are available 24 hours a day. They
expedite your pet's return home. Once CAR is contacted, phone calls, FAX and email technology goes into
action to immediately notify the owner. Does it work? You bet, over 45,000 pets have already been returned
to their owners.


THE NEXT STEP Take your pet to a veterinarian and have it microchipped. Next, enroll your pet in CAR .
Those who chip and enroll protect themselves and their pet from that worst nightmare. Remember any pet of
any species can be microchipped and enrolled in CAR.

CAR charges $12.50 per pet, which includes recovery services for the life of the pet. Those interested in more
information or in hosting a microchip clinic can write to the AKC Companion Animal Recovery, at 5580
Centerview Drive, Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27606-3389 or call them at (800) 252-7894. CAR's email address is
found@akc.org .You can also obtain more information at the Companion Recovery Program on the AKC
website. Every responsible owner should take advantage of this technology and microchip their pet.