Animal Electronic I.D.

The Animal Electronic ID started in Europe over 20 Tears ago.

Through the application of a microchip it’s a safe method and we can apply to the majority of pets, like dogs, cats, birds, horses, reptiles and others exotics pets.

In Portugal, by Law (Decreto-Lei n. º 312/2003 de 17 de Dezembro de 2003) we must identify through microchip breeds considered dangerous, dangerous dogs, hunting dogs and breeding animals with Origin Book registration. More recently, all dogs born after 1st of July (2008) must be identified.

There is a protocol signed by the National Veterinary Authority creating a national identification system and his data base, called SIAC.

Microchip

The microchip has a unique code that no one can change it, recorded by laser with in a chirurgical glass capsule witch is recovered with poliprotilene, bio-compatible, preventing its migration. It has a rice grain size and the Veterinary Surgeon applies it under the animal’s skin.

After the application it stands in the animal through his all life, bounding the pet to the unique code. We can read it with a electronic reader device.

Microchip Application

It’s a medical procedure and only the Veterinary Surgeon can apply it. After the application the Veterinary Surgeon should confirm if it was applied in a correct manner by reading with the electronic reader that shows the animals code on the display.

The microchip application follows a procedure. The Veterinary Surgeon proceeds the followings steps:

Confirms the microchip absence in the animal, passing the electronic reader device through the animals all body;

Verifies the microchip package is inviolated and sterilised;

Verifies the match between the microchip and the label codes, reading the microchip with the electronic reader device, before this application;

There is no need for sedation, tranquilizers or anaesthetics. It doesn’t need hair cuts either;

The animal should be contained and kept in a gentle and firm way;

The application spot it depends on the animal species. In dogs is behind the left hear;

The microchip should be applied under the animal skin;

Once the needle is removed, apply a gentle pressure over the spot for a few seconds;

Explore again the animal, with the reader, to confirm the right microchip implantation;

Fill in the proper forms, with the animal ID, the owner ID, witch keeps the original, a copy is send to the data base, another copy for the local authorities and another for the Veterinary Surgeon records.

We can always make a research to the SIRA, through the ID points or through the authorities (free of charge and can be done by phone, fax or written). This service can also send a copy of the owner data with all the animals on his name and send an alert to all the ID Centres in case of an animal missing.

There are similar data base services in the different European Union countries.

Microchip advantages

The microchip has obvious advantages over the traditional ID methods. Regarding collars and tags, these could be lost or removed. The tattoos with the address and phone aren’t very practical. It’s a painful and timing spending procedure and useless in case of address or phone changes.

No ID at all becomes difficult finding the owner if not impossible. With a microchip on, when the animal is found, results easily, in an ID Centre or by the authorities, through it reading, the pet identification and the following search on the SIRA data base, achieving the pet’s owner return.

Settling is another situation microchips help a great deal.

Registered pets have a individual number and a correspond owner.
As soon as the SIRA services knows, the animal disappearance is communicated to all ID Centres helping the animal search.

Property Changing

The new owner must report to Farmanimal practice, with the last owner’s statement (proving the animal selling or giving) and the original SIRA ID form.
The veterinary surgeon should mention the changings on the original SIRA ID form, the date and sign, making two copies, one for his records and another to send to the SIRA database together with the last owner statement.
Only the veterinary surgeons can make this changing and they are legally and ethical responsible for those actions.

Any veterinary surgeon can do this procedure, regardless if it was the one that first identify the animal.