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Though I refer to myself as, “frugal,” some would call me cheap. In certain instances they may be right, but I have learned to save my money where possible, without giving up quality to obtain the required results.

One area where I’m quickly learning to save money, but still be responsible, is with my dog, Maverick. For example, I don’t skimp on his food. For the price I’m paying for his dog food that doesn’t contain corn, wheat, and other fillers, he’s eating better than I am.

His welfare and safety is a main concern of mine, but there are a couple of discoveries I made that saved me money and that savings still resulted in Maverick having the best chance of being returned, should he become lost.

I hesitated in giving him a microchip. My vet wanted $39 for an office visit, $40 for the chip and then there was the registration fee of the chip that would cost another $20. I was almost ready to fork it over, because all the other vets in the area were priced similarly.

A microchip for your pet has benefits. If your pet is lost and found by authorities it should result in it being returned when scanned. If killed, because it got loose, authorities may scan it when found along the roadside and you’ll know the fate of your loved one. This assumes that your pet had no collar.

If stolen, there is always the possibility that at some point in the future your stolen pet might get scanned by authorities and returned. It could be years later, but it has happened.

Most people who find lost pets are honest and try to return them, as most found pets are wearing their collars. However, they are often required to take your pet to a vet or shelter to see if a microchip exists, or contact the county with the license number, if no identification of the owner exists on the collar tags. In some cases, the tag is worn down so much, license numbers are no longer legible.

So, how can you save some money with a microchip and also get your pet returned as quickly as possible, without the microchip even being scanned?

First, invest a few dollars in a separate identification tag that is imprinted with your pet’s name, your name, your address, and your phone number. These can be ordered online. Check the tag every few months for legibility and replace as necessary. Cost: $3-$5

Another alternative is a new product that can be ordered online and some pet stores now carry. It’s a tag that has a QR code imprinted on one side that can be scanned with any smartphone. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be used with any type of pet, from a large dog, to a small ferret.

After receiving the Smartphone tag, you register your information online, in accordance with the tag’s instructions. Once registered, anyone who scans the tag with their smartphone will gain access to your own personal website page that will provide the finder with information about your pet and how to contact you.  Cost: $10-$20

Those are solutions if you don’t microchip and count on your dogs collar remaining with your lost dog, but what about no collar?

Then there is the microchip. As I stated previously, I thought I would be spending about $100. I didn’t need to spend that much.

I noticed a sign outside of Pet Supplies Plus (located in the Lowe’s shopping center at Freemansburg & Rt. 33) that offered a veterinary clinic on Sundays only, from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. A licensed veterinarian is at the store during those hours. The clinic advertised basic procedures for a flat fee of $15. (Pet Supplies Plus is where I buy the “no fillers” dog food.)

Does your pet need a rabies shot, or a distemper shot? It’s 15 bucks. The sign also said “microchips.”

Being a “first come, first served” clinic, I got Maverick down there before 4:00. We were second in line. I expected to be hit with a registration fee, but there wasn’t one. We were done at 4:10 and I was given the necessary information to register the microchip online.

I only wish I knew of the clinic before I went to my regular vet for the rabies and distemper shots. I could have saved another $39 for an office visit charge that consisted of my vet asking, “Is he eating OK?”, “Pooping OK?”, and then having a thermometer stuck up his ass.

So, if your pet is due for shots, or you simply want to have it microchipped, visit Pet Supplies Plus on a Sunday afternoon and save yourself a lot of money.

By the way, a microchip allows you to obtain a lifetime dog license for $51.50 in Northampton County. If your dog is also neutered/spayed, that lifetime dog license only costs $31.50. A registered tattoo number also qualifies for the lifetime license. Send in proof of your permanent ID method with your application and payment.