Full Text
Microchip Information As the City discontinued animal licensing effective January 1st we have been working on educating pet owners about the importance of pet identification. Identification is key in a successful reunification between pet owner and pet. Pet owners are better served by maintaining their own identification on their pets instead of having to replace a City issued tag each year. While an owner tag is important for quick and current identification, having the pet implanted with a microchip is extra assurance that the pet can be reunited even if separated away from home. Shelters nationwide are equipped with microchip scanners as well as most veterinary offices. Listed below are answers to common questions regarding the AVID microchips: What is the AVID® microchip? A.V.I.D. stands for American Veterinary Identification Devices. The AVID® microchip is a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is encased in a smooth, strong biocompatible glass, and is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once an animal is injected with the chip, he can be identified throughout his life by this one-of-a-kind number. His identification cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed. How does the microchip work? The microchip is generally injected deeply under the skin. It sits safely there, totally inert. A special scanner is used to send a radio signal through the skin of the animal to read the chip. The animal feels nothing as the scanner is passed over him. The microchip sends it’s number back to the scanner. It appears in the viewing window as, for example, AVID 220*609*321. How long does the microchip last? The microchip has no power supply, battery, or moving parts. It is designed with an operating life of over 25 years and is guaranteed for the life of the animal. Once injected, the microchip is anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it. The chip requires no care. It does not pass through or out of the body. How does the scanner work? The AVID® scanner sends a safe radio wave signal to the microchip. When the chip receives this signal, it sends data (the microchip number) back to the scanner to be displayed in a viewing window. AVID® scanners emit helpful audible beeps, display descriptions of actions in progress, and have a low battery message. Small hand-held scanners are held close to the implant site while scanning. They have a reading range of about 3 inches. Larger, more powerful scanners can be used for various commercial and research applications. Read ranges vary from 6 to 20 inches depending upon specifications. ---PAGE BREAK--- My pet already has an AVID chip. How can I get him registered in the AVID network for lost pets? How can I change his registration? Please contact PETtrac directly calling them at (800)336-2843. They will answer all of your questions and/or send you an application. Does the procedure hurt the animal? Although the microchip needle is larger than a typical vaccine needle, the general rule is this…your animals will react the SAME way to this shot as they do to any other. No better, no worse. Animals do not over react to it. Their physical performance is not impaired and there is no scarring. You are not injecting any substance that can burn or irritate; the chip is completely biocompatible and non-offensive. Does the animal have to be sedated for the injection? No! Injecting the AVID® microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not required or recommended. Can the microchip move around once inside the body of the animal? When properly implanted, a small layer of connective tissue forms around the microchip, preventing movement or migration of the chip. Instructions and injection sites will vary depending upon the specie. As with any brand of chip, AVID® microchips will not migrate if instructions are followed and implantation is correct. Dogs and Cats Where is the injection site in dogs and cats? Dogs and cats are injected between the shoulder blades with a deep subcutaneous (under the skin) delivery of the chip. How many brands of chips are there? Can shelters read the AVID® chip? Microchips operate by sending and receiving radiowave signals. Therefore they function at a particular frequency. In the United States the accepted and used radiowave frequency is 125 kHz. The chips most commonly used in the United States companion animal industry are AVID® and HomeAgain™. Shelters know and trust these microchip companies to provide fast recovery services for lost pets. In the mid 90's, shelter groups asked microchip companies to provide shelters with a "universal" scanner that could read both chips. Since then, rescue groups, shelters and humane societies can use a single scanner to detect any 125 kHz microchip.