Microchip Hand Reader vs. Implant: What Kennel Keepers Need
By Quality Kennel Supplies for Your Pets | Backyard Pet Supplies | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Product Reviews
A practical comparison of the Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader and the Animal ID Microchip implant for kennel keepers, covering scanning, record-keeping, and puppy sales value.
Quick answer
For most kennel keepers, the Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader is the more immediately useful purchase because it lets you scan and verify existing microchips, while the Animal ID Microchip implant is a low-cost add-on for breeders who want to chip puppies before sale. If you only buy one, start with the reader; add the implant when you are ready to offer microchipping as part of your puppy placement.
The reader solves a daily verification problem
A pet microchip scanner is not just for shelters. In a kennel, you need to confirm that a dog's chip is readable before a vet visit, a transfer, or a sale. The Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader is described as light and handy with high scan-sensitivity, so it fits into routine handling rather than requiring a separate trip to the vet. It also supports data storage and USB data transmission, which means scanned IDs can be kept with your records instead of written on a scrap of paper.
The implant is a value-add, not a scanning tool
The Animal ID Microchip is a biodegradable glass chip package with simple injection and implantation, described as easy to DIY. That makes it a practical option for breeders who already handle puppies and want to offer microchipping as part of the sale. The trade-off is that the implant does not help you read or verify chips; it only adds a new one. You still need a reader to confirm the chip is working and to record the ID correctly.
Why the two products work better as a pair
If you implant puppies, you need to scan them afterward to confirm the chip reads and to capture the ID for your records. A microchip reader for kennels closes that loop. Without a reader, the implant is an unverified step; without implants, the reader still earns its place by verifying chips in dogs you already own or take in.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Reader: verification versus cost: The Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader gives you on-the-spot scanning and data storage, but it is the higher-priced item and does not implant anything. Choose it first if your main gap is confirming chips or capturing IDs. If you cannot scan a chip today, the reader is the priority purchase.
- Implant: convenience versus procedure risk: The Animal ID Microchip is inexpensive and described as easy to DIY, but implantation is a physical procedure. Only implant if you are trained and comfortable; otherwise, have a vet place the chip and use the reader to verify it. DIY implantation is a skill decision, not just a price decision.
- Buying both: workflow versus budget: Buying the reader and implant together supports a full chip-and-verify workflow for breeders. If budget is tight, buy the reader first and add implants when you have puppies ready to chip. Sequence your purchases around your next litter, not around a bundle discount.
Product facts
- Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader: Light, handy, and has high scan-sensitivity; supports data storage and USB data transmission. You can scan dogs in the kennel and keep the IDs in a digital record instead of relying on handwritten notes.
Animal ID Microchip Hand Reader - Animal ID Microchip: Biodegradable glass chip package with simple injection/implantation, described as easy to DIY. Breeders can add microchipping to puppy sales without a separate implantation service, provided they are comfortable with the procedure.
Animal ID Microchip
Who each option fits
Best for
- Kennel keepers who need to scan and verify existing microchips
- Breeders who want to offer microchipping as a puppy-sales value-add and need to confirm chips afterward
Not for
- Anyone expecting the implant alone to provide scanning or record-keeping
- Kennel keepers who are not trained or comfortable with DIY implantation and should have a vet place chips
