# data[].attributes.body
in Wales

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welsh Ministers have approved legislation requiring the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in Wales from April 2016.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Q: How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia?
A: It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required-a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. If your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering or spaying, the microchip can often be implanted while they're still under anesthesia.

Some microchips used in research laboratories and for microchipping some livestock and horses also transmit information about the animal's body temperature.

Q: Should I be concerned about my privacy if my pet is microchipped? Will someone be able to track me down?

A: You don't need to be concerned about your privacy. The information you provide to the manufacturer's microchip registry will be used to contact you in the event your pet is found and their microchip is scanned. In most cases, you can choose to opt in or opt out of other communications (such as newsletters or advertisements) from the manufacturer. The only information about you contained in the database is the information that you choose to provide when you register the chip or update your information. There are protections in place so that a random person can't just look up an owner's identification.

Remember that having the microchip placed is only the first step, and the microchip must be registered in order to give you the best chances of getting your pet back. If that information is missing or incorrect, your chances of getting your pet back are dramatically reduced.

The ISO standard frequency is 134.2 kHz.

Q: Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?
A: Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database - so don't forget to register and keep your information updated.

Your pet's rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal's owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or telephone-accessed databases, and are available 24/7/365.

Most veterinary clinics have microchip scanners, and your veterinarian can scan your new pet for a microchip when you take your new pet for its veterinary checkup. Microchips show up on radiographs (x-rays), so that's another way to look for one.

Although the presence of a microchip is not a 100% guarantee that you will get your pet back if it's lost or stolen, it does dramatically increase the chances you will be reunited with your pet...as long as you keep the registration information up to date.

Some of the animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip include the following: animals that won't stay still or struggle too much while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip implantation site; excessive fat deposits in the region of implantation; and a metal collar (or a collar with a lot of metal on it). All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip.

See our literature review for guidelines on scanning procedures to reduce the chances of missing a microchip.

If you know your pet has more than one microchip implanted, make sure you keep the database information updated for each microchip. People don't routinely assume there's more than one microchip (because it is very uncommon), so they will try to find the owner based on the registry number of the microchip they detect.

This problem can be solved by the use of universal microchip scanners, which are readily available. The use of ISO standard microchips would be a good step in developing a consistent microchipping system in the U.S.

Fortunately, microchip scanners display the name of the microchip's manufacturer when the microchip is read. Therefore, the likelihood that an animal cannot be identified from its microchip number is very low-that is, unless your pet's microchip has not been registered or the information is not accurate.

In 2009, the American Animal Hospital Association launched their Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool ( www.petmicrochiplookup.org), which provides a listing of the manufacturer with which the microchip's code is associated as well as if the chip information is found in participating registries. The database does not provide owner information for the microchip - the user must contact the manufacturer/database associated with that microchip.

A number of free microchip databases have been launched over the past few years, but many of these databases are not tied directly to the manufacturers' databases. Fortunately, some of these databases are integrated into the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Any database with which you register your pet's microchip needs to be regularly updated, and the critical database to keep up-to-date is the one maintained by the microchip manufacturer.

Q: What are some of the problems associated with microchips? How common are they?
A: The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) maintains a database of adverse reactions to microchips. Since the database was started in 1996, over 4 million animals have been microchipped and only 391 adverse reactions have been reported. Of these reactions, migration of the microchip from its original implantation site is the most common problem reported. Other problems, such as failure of the microchip, hair loss, infection, swelling, and tumor formation, were reported in much lower numbers. For a chart summarizing the BSAVA reports, read the AVMA's literature review on Microchipping of Animals.

Q: I've heard lately that microchips cause cancer. Do they?
A: There have been reports that mice and rats developed cancer associated with implanted microchips. However, the majority of these mice and rats were being used for cancer studies when the tumors were found, and the rat and mice strains used in the studies are known to be more likely to develop cancer. Tumors associated with microchips in two dogs and two cats have been reported, but in at least one dog and one cat the tumor could not be directly linked to the microchip itself (and may have been caused by something else). For more details on the studies, read the AVMA's literature review on Microchipping of Animals.

If you've moved, or if any of your information (especially your phone number) has changed, make sure you update your microchip registration in the manufacturer's database as soon as possible.

To remind pet owners to check and update their information, AAHA and the AVMA have established August 15 as " Check the Chip Day." Take a few minutes to check your information and update it if necessary, and you can rest easy that you've improved your chances of getting your pet back if it's lost or stolen.

​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Q: How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia? A: It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The government has announced plans for new legislation that will require all pet dogs in England to be fitted with a microchip by 2016. The idea is that it will make it easier for the 100,000 stray dogs picked up every year to be reunited with their owners.

But what will it cost?

New laws

The government's plans were announced by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who said: "It's ludicrous that in a nation of dog lovers, thousands of dogs are roaming the streets or stuck in kennels because the owner cannot be tracked down."

"I am determined to put an end to this and ease the pressure on charities and councils to find new homes for these dogs. Microchipping is a simple solution that gives peace of mind to owners. It makes it easier to get their pet back if it strays and easier to trace if it's stolen."

The move was welcomed by the RSPCA which said it was 'long-awaited' and a 'step in the right direction'.

Claire Horton, Battersea Cats' and Dogs' Home Chief Executive added: "Battersea warmly welcomes today's Government announcement on microchipping in England as it will make a real difference to the welfare of dogs. It's so worrying for owners when a dog strays from home, yet a tiny microchip the size of a grain of rice means charities like Battersea can often reunite pets with their owners within hours. Having no chip in a dog can mean any reunion can take days to happen, if it happens at all. So we'll help all we can by offering dog owners free chipping."

Current rules

At the moment dogs are picked up by the dog warden employed by your local council, or in some instances they will arrange for the RSPCA to take them in at your local RSPCA reception point. The total cost of looking after stray dogs, finding owners, and in some instances having the animal put down, is around £57 million.

TV actress Sheridan Smith (pictured) has first-hand experience of the difference a chip can make, when her Shar-pei went missing in East London. She says: "My dog Enid went missing three years ago and wasn't chipped. She was taken to Battersea and they were able to reunite us thanks to my posts on twitter. Battersea microchipped Enid for me and now I have peace of mind that should she ever get lost again, I'll get her back quickly and safely. I found out the hard way how important it is to have your pet microchipped, and think compulsory microchipping is a great move and will help so many more dogs find their owners."

The cost

The chips themselves can be inserted easily by a vet using a needle, and the whole things costs between £20 and £30. The Dogs Trust has confirmed that once the new legislation is introduced it will supply vets with the chips free of charge, although it will be up to the vet whether they charge for implanting it.

If this sounds a bit steep, a number of charities will carry out the procedure for free, including the Dog's Trust, Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home and Blue Cross. However, they are all registered charities that rely on public generosity, so they would appreciate a donation if you can afford it.

If you fail to get your dog chipped, if the local council picks it up and you are reunited, you will have a short period of time in which to get it chipped. If you miss the deadline you could face a fine of up to £500.

It seems therefore that for a small cost - or for free - dog owners can save the government and charities a small fortune, and ensure they are more likely to be reunited if they lose their pet. The only significant cost will come if you fail to comply, which sounds like a great idea all round.

But what do you think? Do you have your dog chipped? Would you mind being forced to do so? Let us know in the comments.

More stories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dogs must be microchipped: what will it cost?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The government has announced plans for new legislation that will require all pet dogs in England to be fitted with a microchip by 2016. The idea is that it will make it easier for the 100,000 stray dogs picked up every year to be reunited with their

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Microchips last.
Traditional modes of identification, like pet tags or ID collars, need to be replaced regularly-and can slip off, be removed, or become hard to read- but microchips last for the life of the pet.
Bonus benefits of microchipping your pet
Some microchip registries offer additional services for your pet's care:

* Specialists available 24/7 to assist with advice and support if your pet is lost

* Travel assistance for pets found far from home

* 24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline

* Lost Pet Alerts sent to a network of animal shelters, veterinarians, and concerned citizens around where your pet was lost. ( Sign up here to help reunite lost dogs and lost cats with their families.)
You and your pet belong together.
Your cat or dog's microchip implant gives your pet the best chance of returning home to you if lost. However, a microchip must be registered along with your current contact information in order to identify you as your pet's parent and contact you. Remember as long as there are pets, even those belonging to the most responsible parents, they will go missing.

Sources:
"Microchipping and Scanning Companion Animals," an online course from the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, please visit www.aahanet.org "Microchip Your Pet," an online video from HomeAgain. For more information, please visit www.homeagain.com Microchips: Common Questions - The Humane Society of the United States http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/ common_questions_about_microchips.html Microchip Study - American Humane http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-animals/shelter-professionals/resources/microchip-study.html Microchipping animals FAQ - American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_faq.asp Backgrounder: Microchipping of Animals - American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_bgnd.asp Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, July 15, 2009, Vol. 235, No. 2, Pages 160-167. "Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters" http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.235.2.160?cookieSet=1&journalCode=javma

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bonus Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet - Petfinder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Microchips last. Traditional modes of identification, like pet tags or ID collars, need to be replaced regularly-and can slip off, be removed, or become hard to read- but microchips last for the life of the pet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Microchips are being implanted in dogs and cats by veterinarians, animal shelters and breeders for identification purposes. Microchips are also being implanted by members of the public who have taken a brief microchipping course; either online or in person. Fish, ferrets, horses, alpacas, turtles, elephants, birds, llamas, laboratory animals, zoo animals and even snakes are being chipped. But are microchips a reliable form of identification? And are there health risks associated with the implants?

Microchip implants are marketed as a safe and permanent form of identification that lasts the lifetime of the animal. They are also marketed as a way to reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners, to significantly reduce the number of pets in shelters, to identify and punish owners of dangerous dogs; and to prevent bad breeding practices and cruelty to animals.

Reasons used to promote and sell implantable microchips may sound appealing. Before being enticed by carefully crafted advertising that is being used to not only convince people to have their animals microchipped, but also to implement mandatory animal chipping legislation, we should examine the facts.

Consumers are repeatedly told that microchip implants are safe. So safe, in fact, that pharmaceutical giant Merial says scientific studies show that microchip implants are totally painless, perfectly well tolerated by the animal and that there is no risk of itchiness, allergic reactions or abscesses. Merial even claims that European experience shows that microchips are never rejected from the body.

However, published scientific studies and adverse microchip reports recorded by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) prove otherwise.

Scientific studies involving mice and rats show that test animals have developed aggressive and lethal microchip-induced cancerous growths. Scientific reports also show that chipped zoo animals have developed microchip-associated cancerous growths. Medical reports and scientific studies also reveal that dogs and cats have developed aggressive cancerous growths at the site of their microchip implants.

In 2009, a Yorkshire Terrier named Scotty developed epitheliotropic lymphoma at the site of his Schering-Plough Home Again microchip implant. Little Scotty died within months of developing cancer; his death coinciding with his sixth birthday. In October 2010, a lawsuit was filed in the US by Andrea Rutherford against Merck Sharp & Dohme and Digital Angel Inc. because her cat, Bulkin, developed cancer at the site of his Home Again microchip implant. The results of the lawsuit are pending.

Many advocates of microchipping say the risk that your pet will develop cancer from a microchip implant is "negligible" to "nonexistent." Some even say that the microchip-cancer risk is an "Internet urban legend."

But ask yourself how negligible the microchip-cancer risk is if it's your pet that develops cancer. Ask yourself why decades of scientific data prove that an object implanted in the body can cause cancer, yet nay-sayers of the microchip-cancer risk claim that microchip implants cannot cause cancer.

Animals have also experienced neurological damage as a result of microchips: "A 1.6 kg, six-week-old Tibetan Terrier was admitted with a 12 hour history of acute onset of progressive tetraparesis following insertion of a microchip to the dorsal cervical region," write T. J. Smith and Noel Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Referrals in the UK.

Animals have also died due to the microchip implant procedure. In 2004, the BSAVA reported that a kitten died suddenly when it was chipped. "During the postmortem examination the microchip was found in the brain stem," writes the BSAVA.

In 2009, a young Chihuahua named Charlie Brown died within hours of being chipped. Charlie died from "an extreme amount of bleeding" from the "little hole in the skin where the (microchip implant) needle went in," says Dr. Reid Loken, the board-certified veterinarian who performed the procedure.

Lori Ginsberg, Charlie's owner, says, "I wasn't in favor of getting Charlie chipped, but it was the law."

Ginsberg adds: "It's horrible to live in a country where your choices are being taken away and you are unable to make decisions about your family and your life ... Politicians should not take away my right to do what is best for my pet."

This technology is supposedly so great until it's your animal that dies.
Lori Ginsberg, Charlie Brown's owner

When presented with cases like Scotty's, Bulkin's, Charlie Brown's and others, many people justify the health risks of chipping by saying that adverse reactions to microchips are rare. The risks however, are vastly underestimated as veterinarians and animal shelters are not required to report adverse reactions so only an extremely small number of these cases are reported.

Although microchip implants are marketed as a permanent form of identification they can stop working or be expelled from the animal's body. Microchips are also known to migrate and become lost within the body, making identification difficult.

Also, unbeknownst to the majority of pet owners, microchip numbers can be duplicated: more than one animal can have the same identification number. Barbara Masin of Electronic Identification Devices, Ltd states: "I went to the USDA listening sessions and offered to show them the problem with duplication possibilities, but they didn't want to see it. The situation is very political".

"There are certain people involved within the USDA who have very close ties to certain manufacturers. There is an underlying agenda, unfortunately, and this is not for the good of the country."

Another well-known slogan used to sell microchips is: "Microchips help reunite lost and stolen pets with their owners." But this catchy phrase is deceptive and provides a false sense of security for pet owners who believe that their pet's chip can be read by all microchip scanners.

Dr. Patricia Khuly, VMD of the Sunset Animal Clinic in Miami, Florida warns: "... not all scanners are created equal. Some are better than others at reading a wide variety of microchips. That means your pet may get lost, found, scanned and euthanized if the scanner comes up 'empty.'"

Tragically, an 8 month old American Pit Bull Terrier named Hadden was euthanized at the Stafford County, Virginia, Animal Shelter after the scanner used to read his chip could not detect the implant.

Lisa Massey, Hadden's owner, says, "They [shelter employees] just explained that they were very sorry ... that they had scanned Hadden twice and nothing registered." Even under ideal controlled conditions, no scanners have 100% sensitivity for all microchips.

Another important point that pet owners must be aware of pertains to recovering their stolen microchipped pet. Specifically, if your chipped pet is stolen, the chip does not guarantee that you will find your pet. Also, recent cases in the UK reveal that the chip does not provide proof of ownership. So, even if you locate your stolen, microchipped pet, it is possible that your pet will not be returned to you.

In April 2010, Dave Moorhouse was contacted by Anibase, a microchip database company, asking if he wanted to change the ownership records of his Jack Russell Terrier, Rocky. Mr. Moorhouse told Anibase that Rocky had been stolen and asked where he was but Anibase refused to provide information regarding Rocky's whereabouts.

Steven Wildridge, managing director of Animalcare, the company that owns and operates Anibase, says: "This is not a choice, it's an obligation under the Data Protection Act. If the individuals involved do not want us to pass on their details to the original owner then we cannot do so unless compelled to following a criminal or civil proceeding."

Although Rocky's microchip was registered to Mr. Moorhouse, the police concluded there was no criminal case and refused to help him find Rocky. A Huddersfield County Court judge ruled that the situation was out of his jurisdiction. Mr. Moorhouse asks, "What's the point of having your pet microchipped if you can't get him back?"

Those who promote and/or profit from microchips also claim that microchipping will significantly reduce the number of pets in shelters. This claim is not substantiated by accurate, long-term, independent studies.

In fact, in the few short-term studies that used carefully selected animal shelters to test microchips, scanners and databases, researchers noticed "... microchipping ... is not an infallible system, and it is not realistic to expect 100% performance."

Implantable microchips are also promoted for use in dangerous dogs so their owners can be identified and held responsible for their dog's bad behavior. The limitation is owners of dangerous dogs will probably find a way to avoid having their dogs chipped. Owners of "dangerous" chipped dogs can also easily have the chip removed, either surgically or by some inhumane method, in order to avoid being identified.

Microchips are also promoted as a way to prevent bad breeding practices and cruelty to animals. A proposal has been made in Wales to implement mandatory chipping of dogs in breeding premises. RSPCA inspector Richard Abbott says the charity has found dogs in "dark, damp, ammonia-smelling" conditions with "no bedding whatsoever" and with "puppies dead or dying next to them."

Unfortunately, compulsory chipping will not prevent bad breeding practices, unhygienic conditions or cruelty to animals by bad breeders, those involved in puppy mills, or anyone else for that matter.

Instead, it is likely that chips and insertion devices will be purchased via the Internet to reduce costs, and the implant procedure will be done by insensitive, untrained individuals in stressful and unhygienic conditions.

As a result, puppies will suffer and/or die due to infections, abscesses, bleeding, neurological damage and cancer caused by the implants. Meanwhile, the conditions in which the dogs and puppies live will remain the same.

"There have been concerns about the implanted chip causing problems; various Internet 'urban legends' have tried to link microchips and a rare form of cancer. To date, we are not aware of any scientific data confirming this. In our opinion, the risk is negligible to nonexistent." Dr. Ellen Friedman DVM: Newburgh Veterinary Hospital; Newburgh, NY.

Real-life evidence shows that microchip implants are an unreliable and potentially dangerous form of identification. In spite of the risks, microchip companies and advocates of microchipping continue to mislead pet owners by saying that microchips are reliable and safe. In addition, mandatory animal microchipping legislation continues to be enacted around the world.

It is important, therefore, that pet owners educate themselves regarding problems associated with microchips, and share the information with other pet owners, veterinarians, animal shelters and those involved in microchipping policies. Pet owners should also become involved in the process of reporting adverse microchip reactions, otherwise adverse consequences of microchipping will continue to be grossly under-reported.

It is important that pet owners work together to reverse mandatory microchipping legislation and prevent further microchipping legislation from being enacted.
© 2011 Dogs Naturally Magazine. This article may not be reproduced or reprinted in whole or in part without prior written consent.
Like this article? Subscribe to Dogs Naturally now and get more great articles on vaccination, holistic health care, natural nutrition and more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Microchips: Are Pet Owners Being Misled? - Dogs Naturally Magazine

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Microchips are being implanted in dogs and cats by veterinarians, animal shelters and breeders for identification purposes. Microchips are also being implanted by members of the public who have taken a brief microchipping course; either online or in person. Fish, ferrets, horses, alpacas, turtles, elephants, birds, llamas, laboratory animals, zoo animals and even snakes are ...