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Add New Microchip

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Bysitemaster

The purpose of microchip implants used for pets is to provide a form of permanent identification, ideally is should be an ISO compliant chip.

Microchips are internationally regulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO, iso.org). The biggest advantage to ISO compliance is that all of the chips emit the same frequency, leaving less risk of using a scanner that can’t detect the microchip. The United States doesn’t currently require that all chips are ISO compliant, so it is not safe to assume that a U.S. chip is compliant (especially older chips). Check the chip’s frequency with the manufacturer if you have any questions. If a pet travels internationally, an ISO-compliant microchip is critical because ISO chips are required for entry into many countries (particularly in Europe).

A microchip is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The microchip is implanted in your dog between the shoulders. It has no battery and no internal power source, so it sits inertly in the dog until it is read by a microchip scanner (image 2).

The chip/tag carries a unique identification number. ISO chips are special or different in that they are 15 digits long. Chips are roughly the size of a grain of rice (image 1). When the microchip is scanned by a vet, shelter, or officer it transmits the ID number to be read in a scanner device.

The sooner you get your puppy microchipped, the sooner your dog is protected should it get loose or become lost. Many veterinarians recommend having them  microchipped at their first vaccination, roughly at eight weeks of age. You may also want to consider local laws regarding pet registration, vaccination, and microchipping. For dogs that potentially will be travelling out of country they reside in, it is required to have the microchip implanted prior to the rabies vaccination being given and to provide this confirmation on their documentation.

image 1)

image 2)    

 

To enter the microchip data in IWDR, follow these steps:

1. Go to the [Manage Your Dog’s Data] and select [MyDogs], OR Click on [MyDogs] Quick tab.

2. To change the status of a dog in your program, select the dog in the search field.

a) Start typing name in the search field

b) Click the search (magnifying glass) button

c) Click the Edit button next to the dog’s name you want to change.

 

3. Under the Edit icon (Pencil), look for the microchip fields in the right column.

a) Microchip Number – Enter the digits for the micrchip number here. ISO numbers should have 15 digits. If your organization curretnly does not use a microchip that has 15 numbers, consider looking into other options if you/client are planning on travelling with the dog in the future. If not ISO chip, it may be required to implant a second chip. See below for more information on this entry.

b) Microchip Type – From the drop down menu select the type/brand of microchip that was implanted (EIDAP, 24hour PetWatch, AVID, etc.)

c) Microchip Date – Enter the date in which the implant was completed. This is important as the implant date is required on all transportation and health certification documents when travelling.

4. Once completing all fields, click [Save] at the bottom of the page. 

 

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