By Dr. M. Sumanth Bedre
Dog is man’s best friend — one that may have an urge to wander and explore and runs the risk of getting lost. Unfortunately, it is not too uncommon for dogs to lose their way back home and end up in shelters.
A staggering number of dogs are lost in shelters every year because there is a lack of reliable means for identification once they are found. If your pet is lost, you are far more likely to be reunited if they are micro-chipped as they can be scanned by a veterinarian and the owner details can be obtained from the database.
What is a micro-chip?
A micro-chip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. Once the micro-chip is implanted under the skin, it will remain for the entirety of your dog’s lifetime. The chip contains a unique 15-digit number for identification, similar to Aadhaar number for individuals.
When scanned, the chip transmits its identification number using passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology on to the scanner, which displays the number on a screen.
The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has approved and recommended a global standard for micro-chips. The global standard ensures a consistent identification system worldwide. The ISO standard frequency is 134.2 kHz. Also, contrary to popular belief, the micro-chip is not a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. The chip is RFID which enables it to be read by a micro-chip scanner, but only once your pet has been found.
Two-step procedure
It is a two step process wherein the chip is implanted and then the unique identification number is registered along with all the relevant details about the owner and the pet.
Micro-chip comes pre-loaded in a sterile inject applicator. The chip is injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) between the shoulder blades using a hypodermic needle at the back of your pet’s neck by a registered veterinarian. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection.
No surgery or anaesthesia is required and the micro-chip can be implanted during any regular vet check-ups. Make sure to read the chip right after injection using a micro-chip scanner. Also, ask your veterinarian to scan your pet’s micro-chip at least once every year to make sure it is still detected.
Having a micro-chip placed is only the first step, and the micro-chip must be registered in a central database and keep your registration information in the database up-to-date.
Why micro-chip your pets?
Unique Identity: The micro-chip acts as the unique identification of your pet. The chip stores only a 15-digit unique number. This number is mentioned on all the records for the pet. Most pets wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their owner, but only a micro-chip provides permanent ID that cannot fall off or be removed.
Find lost pets: If your pet is lost, you are far more likely to be reunited if they are micro-chipped as they can be scanned at nearest vets and the owner details can be obtained from the database. A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without micro-chips were returned to their owners 21.9 percent of the time, whereas micro-chipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2 percent of the time.
Travel: Micro-chipping is mandatory for international travel and recommended for travel within India. All pet documents must have a micro-chip number.
Pet insurance: Micro-chip is mandatory for buying pet insurance.
Pet registration: Every dog registered with KCI (Kennel Club of India) must compulsorily be micro-chipped.
As per Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules), 2017, no puppy can be sold by a breeder without a micro-chip. Also, micro-chipping can be one of the most effective ways to solve the cases of theft, abandonment and illegal pet trafficking.
Conclusion
A micro-chip is non-bio reactive and hence, biologically safe for the pet. It is a one-time investment with several benefits for the pets and no side effects. The concept of micro-chipping for pet safety is not new, but pet owners in India are slowly becoming aware of it and the micro-chipping of pet dogs will be made compulsory in the days to come.
About the author
Dr. M. Sumanth Bedre is a Veterinary Surgeon, who graduated (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Hassan in 2016. He completed his Master’s in Veterinary Pathology from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Wayanad, in 2018.
He is currently working as an International Task Force Veterinarian at Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) India in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. He has four years of experience in small animal and equine practice. He has a keen interest in emergency and critical care medicine and is passionate about wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
Dr. Sumanth is a resident of Vontikoppal, Mysuru and his father N. Manjunath Bedre works as a Programme Executive at All India Radio (AIR), Mysuru, while his mother R. Sudha works as a Gazetted Manager at Government First Grade College, K.R. Pet, Mandya.
This post was published on April 11, 2023 7:10 pm