ULPT overwriting cat microchip?

Posted by Kestrel_VI@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 18 comments

Hi all. For want of avoiding any potentially identifiable information (for obvious reasons) I’m gonna skip a lot of backstory.

I have 2 cats both around 2+y/o, living with us for the last year and a half, who are microchipped, registered to my fiancé’s ex, they are her cats, he got them with her but the vet’s has said they will be seized if we take them in for anything as they are classed as stolen property, even though he has expressed no desire to get them back since we got them and was only trying to keep them to force her to have to see him.

Is there any way to wipe the data on the chip or edit it without taking them to a vet so that we can get them treated should the need arise?

I’m thinking a strong magnet might do the trick but don’t know for sure.

[-]

Whole-Yak-1644@reddit

You can buy a scanner on amazon to read the code. There's only a few of these company's. when you have code ring one of them and tell them you want to update the details, if you ring wrong one they will tell which is the right one. No vet will ever check that your pet is micro chipped. They are simply there incase pet is lost or if there is a dispute over owner ship.

[-]

AvoirReves@reddit

I have moved around a lot and no Vet has ever scanned my cats when I have taken them for treatment or regular checkups. Both cats got their chips before I adopted them. None of the Vets have ever shown interest in the chip or me proving ownership of the cats. Nor have they asked for their previous records. I really think if you take them to a different Vet and don't call attention to chip not being registered to you that you won't have an issue.

[-]

Kestrel_VI@reddit (OP)

So provided I don’t call attention to it, it should be fine?

TBH I haven’t dealt with vets much before so I’m just going off the information I have, being that she called the vets they were registered at and explained the situation. We are planning to use a new one.

[-]

AvoirReves@reddit

You will be fine at a new Vet, I am talking 15 year history, moving across town, across state, to the next state over, multiple cats, multiple Vets. No one ever has scanned my cats unless I specifically requested it when I rescued strays that showed up at my house.

Just chose a new Vet a few miles away from the old one or maybe a city or so away.

[-]

Apprehensive-Echo666@reddit

I've adopted 4 stray cats, no vet has ever checked for a microchip unless you specifically ask for it, just find a new vet and don't mention it, you'll be fine.

[-]

itfailsagain@reddit

There are devices that can overwrite them. Magnets won't do anything.

[-]

Dasrule@reddit

If the guy has no interest in the cats then ask him to change the owner info in whatever service they are listed with. I did this once with a dog and it was nothing more than a phone call on the previous owners part and about $30 on mine.

[-]

Kestrel_VI@reddit (OP)

Ex won’t out of spite

[-]

Pretty_Fisherman_314@reddit

seems your cats microchip comes back as a lost or stolen pet. Seems maybe your boyfriend is lying to you.

Now in reality the best bet would be to go to a vets office and explain the cats were left with you too and abandoned. This is actually why I say a stray hold is needed so there’s no questions.

[-]

bluecat2001@reddit

Is the vet a friend of the ex?

[-]

Kestrel_VI@reddit (OP)

No, he just had everything signed up at the same time (chip, insurance, ect) and when that vet was asked about it, they said the cats would be held and he would be contacted, hence trying to avoid that.

[-]

sneakysneaky1010@reddit

Your vet is sticking their nose in something they shouldn't be.

This is a civil dispute, in the United States a cop isn't going to seize your dog because the vet said" this chip comes back to someone else"

I'm betting they're straight up lying and won't do anything about it 🙌🏻

[-]

ReddBroccoli@reddit

I'm pretty sure they aren't going to risk their livelihood to help someone keep their (legally speaking) stolen property. They're definitely going to report it

[-]

TheProcessCult@reddit

Just go to a new vet and tell them, "my fiance and I just moved in together in my place, but her cats are still chipped under her old address with her ex."

Nothing unethical about that and 90% of Vets won't give a shit.

[-]

madkins007@reddit

Go to a different vet. Ask them if they can tell you anything about the chip. If it is in his name, address, or anything then I really doubt another vet will care as long as fiance is with you.

However, I've never had a vet check any of my pets for chips unless I asked if they had one.

[-]