Microchip Information Update

 

We understand there has been a lot of confusion about different microchip technologies currently available to Pets. As veterinarians, we feel strongly about making sure all our clients have the most up-to-date information regarding their Pet`s microchip, and we will continue to do whatever we can to help reunite lost Pets with their families, including pushing for needed improvements in the U.S. microchip system.

 

At this time, the microchip system doesn’t work well, and it’s a sad fact that many Pets with a microchip are euthanized when they are lost. We believe that all scanners should read all microchips, that microchips should not be encrypted, and that microchips and microchip registration need to be more affordable so more families can get microchips for their Pets and keep their registrations current.

 

Banfield continues to support the ISO microchip technology because it believes ISO is better and less expensive than older encrypted 125 kHz technology. Right now, lawsuits are getting in the way of the best interests of lost Pets.

 

For the benefit of our patients, Banfield continues actively encouraging microchip manufacturers to distribute more scanners in the United States that can read the ISO microchip technology, which already has been accepted in most of the rest of the world, and for wildlife and livestock in the U.S.

 

Is there a one-scan solution? Yes! In July 2004, many national animal welfare agencies joined to form the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, which is calling on chip and scanner manufacturers to permit the use of scanners that can read all microchips. Banfield wholeheartedly supports the Coalition.

 

To reach this goal, Iams has offered to donate 30,000 ISO compatible scanners to shelters, veterinarians and animal control offers nationwide, valued at more than $5 million. For more information about the current state of microchips in the United States, please visit the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, online at www.readallchips.com.

 

U.S. Shelters That Have Received an ISO Compatible Scanner More than 2,000 134.2 kHz /ISO scanners have been donated to shelters and agencies nationwide. The fact that a shelter has received a scanner does not guarantee they will use it on lost Pets. If your local agency or shelter needs an ISO compatible scanner, they may contact CrystalTag at sales@crystaltag.com.