|
Home 
Dog
Microchipping
New ISO Microchip Creates Double Work for Animal Shelters
New ISO Microchip Creates Double Work for Animal Shelters
The new pet identification microchip uses a different
frequency from other microchips forcing animal shelters
to scan each animal twice.
by Steve Johnson, staff
June 8, 2004
If you microchipped your dog, it's possible that it could
still end up being euthanized if it got lost.
This is because most animal shelters are not properly equipped
to scan for a new type of microchip being introduced to the
United States from Europe. This new chip, called "ISO",
uses a frequency of 135 Khz instead of the 125 Khz used by
the AVID and the Home Again brands.
Most animal shelters use the scanners provided by AVID and
Home Again, and they often cannot read the new ISO chip. Thus,
animals carrying the ISO chip might end up getting euthanized,
instead of being reunited with their owners.
More than 400 Banfield veterinary clinics, located within
PetSmart stores all across America, have been using the ISO
chip, claiming it is more reliable. But recently, Banfield
has had to stop sales of the ISO chip. "We realized that there
are not enough scanners out there in the shelters that take
in lost and stray pets," said Banfield spokeswoman Dr. Karen
Johnson.
Banfield is helping to distribute ISO scanners.
Michael Rodrigues, the Director of Stanislaus Animal Services
feels that another chip will burden local shelters. "We'll
have 21,000 animals here a year. And we're scanning 21,000
twice, instead of once. That's excessive, more time we could
be spending on care and everything else," Rodriguez said.
Animal protection agencies urge pet owners to talk with their
veterinarian to decide which microchip is best.
Source: Internet Broadcasting Systems
|
