that is scary, and only one reason why my dogs are not microchipped, we tatoo instead, canada is a pretty friendly place, several people who have found Ripley just call the shelter tell them his tatoo # the shelter calls us gives us the addy for the perspn who has him and we go pick him up. he also has an ID tag, both of which have brought him home before anyone even knew he was gone, and not once has anyone had to take him to the shelter or a vet that has a scanner, because ANYONE can read a tag or a tatoo.