was thinking of chipping, too - but I thought that in our remote area they might not have scanners readily available.
Why don't you call your local humane society and animal warden and ask if they scan?

When we got Star microchipped, we lived in a small town about 150 miles from any big city - When she was a puppy,Star was returned to us within minutes of disappearing (she was so small she slipped thru the fence) and the dog warden said he happened to be in the area and picked her up and scanned her. We were so grateful she was chipped! Our vet had been skeptical, he thought that until satellites could track the chips, they would be kind of a waste, but I'm telling you my experience proved otherwise - I hate to think that she may not have been returned to us.
Collars come off, she's lost her tags twice, at least I know wherever she is, she's trackable.