Monticello Mini's

MonticelloMinis now requires that all puppies purchased from us must be microchipped for identification purposes!

You may take your puppy to your personal Veterinarian and have the puppy microchipped or you can request the service be performed by MonticelloMinis prior to bringing your new puppy home for a fee of $25 (in addition to the price of puppy). The buyer is responsible for all fees incurred when enrolling their new puppy in the AKC Companion Animal Recovery Program (CAR). 

If we implant the chip for you, MonticelloMinis will scan the microchip and record the number on your puppy's AKC registration certificate prior to implantation as well as on our AKC litter record. You will receive an information packet with details about enrolling your new puppy in the program. We will also scan the chip after implantation and verify the number with YOU, the new owner.

If you choose to have your Veterinarian microchip your new puppy, the implantation MUST be completed within 72 hours of the puppy leaving MonticelloMinis. Proof of implantation from your Veterinarian as well as proof of registration (enrollment) from the microchip identification program used by your Veterinarian MUST be sent to MonticelloMinis.

Microchipping your pet

You may think that your pet is protected from getting lost. But accidents happen, and some things - like hurricanes and other natural disasters - are out of your control. In fact, one in three pets will become lost during their lifetime. And according to the American Humane Association, only about 17 percent of lost dogs and two percent of lost cats ever find their way back to their original owners. Almost 4 million pets are euthanized every year because their owners can't be found in time - if a shelter cannot determine a pet's owner, the pet may be euthanized in as few as three days. To help give your pet the best chance of being identified should he ever become lost, have him implanted with the AKC CAR microchip.

Tags and collars are a good start - they're certainly better than no ID at all - but they aren't 100 percent dependable. Tags can fade, rust, or get scratched, making them impossible to read. Collars can tear or slip off, or get caught on something while your pet is wandering. With a microchip, on the other hand, your pet's source of identification is always available. To microchip your pet, a veterinarian injects a tiny chip about the size of a grain of rice just under your pet's skin between the shoulder blades. The number on the chip is then entered into the AKC CAR database.

When a lost pet is found, any animal hospital, shelter, or humane society can use a special handheld microchip scanner to read our microchip's unique ID number. The veterinarian or shelter then contacts the AKC CAR database. The database matches the number to a name and phone number, reuniting the lost pet with its owner.

Maximize your pet's chances of recovery by enrolling in the AKC CAR program today.

The AKC CAR (Trovan) Microchip

The AKC CAR service starts with the microchip itself. Our microchip is centered on the use of a passive electronic device that emits a radio frequency only when activated by the scanner.

Unique

Each microchip is designed with the express purpose of storing and transmitting a unique alphanumeric code. This code represents your pet's essential identification - it is the number used by AKC CAR to determine your address and phone number, enabling your pet to return home. 

Size

The size of the AKC CAR (Trovan) microchip is one of its most significant features. About the size of a grain of rice (approximately 12mm), the microchip is so small it cannot be seen once it has been implanted. Thanks to this small size, the actual implantation of the microchip is quite easy. Your veterinarian simply injects it beneath the surface of the skin between the shoulder blades, like a routine shot. The process takes only a few seconds, is virtually painless, and requires no special treatment or anesthetic.

For life

Finally, and most importantly, the AKC CAR microchip has no batteries or internal energy source so it will last the life of your pet. After implantation, the microchip remains inactive until it is read with a scanner - the low radio frequency emitted by the scanner provides the microchip with the power necessary to transmit its unique code and positively identify the animal. Thus, the microchip itself has no internal power and will be able to transmit the ID code for the life of the animal.

The myth: the procedure to implant the microchip is too expensive.

The truth: while the price can vary from one veterinarian to another, implanting the microchip costs about $45. (MonticelloMinis offers the chip and implantation service to their clients for a fee of $25). This is a one-time fee; the chip never needs maintenance or replacement. In addition, there is an annual fee to maintain access to pet recovery and database enrollment.

PLEASE NOTE: The American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery Program is now offering a "combination" registry offer to their clients: You will be able to save money when you register your new puppy AND enroll in AKC CAR at the same time. IF YOU ENROLL ON LINE WHILE REGISTERING YOUR PUPPY, THE ENROLLMENT FEE IS $12 plus the normal AKC registration fee. If you choose to enroll in AKC CAR but NOT register your puppy, the fee will be $17.50 (on line) or $19.95 (by mail).

The myth: enrolling in the database or service is not necessary.

The truth: having your veterinarian implant the AKC CAR microchip is the first step in pet protection. However, the microchip has no recovery benefits unless you enroll in the AKC CAR service. Your pet is only fully protected by AKC CAR when you activate your pet and provide your contact information (email and phone numbers) and other emergency contact information.

The myth: implanting the microchip will hurt my pet.

The truth: the procedure is simple, routine, and virtually painless, and it doesn't require any anesthesia. Your pet gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades, similar to getting vaccinated. Most animals don't react at all.

The myth: most shelters and veterinarians don't have microchip scanners, so they won't be able to read the microchip and identify my pet.

The truth: it's true that a microchip won't identify your pet unless he comes into contact with a microchip scanner. Virtually all veterinarians and shelters are equipped to scan your pet should he become lost.

The myth: every pet with a microchip couldn't possibly be given a unique number. My pet's number will be duplicated.

The truth: the way technology works today, these tiny microchips can hold huge amounts of information. In fact, the microchips are designed to produce 275 billion different identification numbers. On top of that, manufacturers add unique product codes and manufacturer's codes to identify their chips. With all the possible combinations of product codes and ID numbers, there are more than enough numbers to make sure every pet has a completely unique number.

The myth: eventually, the microchip will wear out and I'll need to have it replaced.

The truth: the chip doesn't have an internal battery or power source. In fact, most of the time it's inactive. When the microchip scanner is passed over it, the chip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the pet's ID number. Since there is no battery and no moving parts, there's nothing to wear out or replace. The microchip will last throughout your pet's lifetime.

The myth: my pet never goes outside unless he's with me. He doesn't need to have a microchip ID.

The truth: it's wonderful that you're keeping your pet safe inside and supervised while outside, but a guest or a repair person could easily leave the door open, or a screen could come loose from an open window. There's a possibility that your house could be damaged in a heavy storm, flood, or other natural disaster, causing your pet to run away in fear. Pets can even be stolen - particularly birds and exotic or purebred animals. No matter how closely you watch your favorite animal friend, there's always a chance he could get out, and if he doesn't have any ID, he will be extremely hard to find.

The myth: it's not safe for my dog to have a foreign object inside his body.

The truth: veterinarians have been implanting microchips in animals for years, and the process has been proven to be very safe. The chip is made out of an inert, biocompatible substance, which means it won't cause an allergic reaction or degenerate over time.