Microchipping would allow more reunions. It takes only seconds to scan an animal at shelters. Scanners are free to any shelter that requests one. There's no excuse for not scanning stray rabbits, but right now with so few rabbits microchipped, there's also little incentive in the shelters to think of scanning rabbits. We can change that.

Every rabbit reunited with his human family is one rabbit who won't have to go through the rescue/adoption network, tying up valuable resources. Every rabbit reunited, means the end of that family's frantic worry and guilt.

Microchipping of birds is common, not only to thwart the trade in stolen birds, but also because the critters can just fly away. Fancy dogs and cats are microchipped, as are increasing numbers of "average" pets.

Microchipping is easy and painless (almost). The chip carrying a permanent identification code is no larger than two grains of rice. It is suspended in a sterile solution that is injected under the skin of the left shoulder of the animal. A quick scan checks to see if it's activated. Some vets will keep a local registry, but it's wise to send in the paperwork to the national registry that issued the chip. That way, if you move elsewhere, there's a central computer database of your animal. Registry with AVID's PETtrac, for example, is $15 for one animal; $40 for up to eight animals. The chip costs about $18 and the vet visit may run you $30 (estimates).

With a microchip, your rabbit can run, but you have a better chance of getting him back.