Canada is fortunate to have a standardized microchipping system for pets. CFHS is a founding member of the National Companion Animal Coalition, which created a national standard for microchipping in the early 1990s. This standard was revised over the last few years to better reflect new technologies. The creation of a national chip standard has helped ensure there is a more unified and effective recovery system in Canada.
The microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted into the pet in the area of the shoulder. It does not transmit unless it is read by a scanner, in which case, it passes to the reader a unique and identifying number.
If your pet is lost, the animal shelter can scan the pet and see the number. If the pet has been registered, you will then be contacted to claim your pet. However, it is essential that you keep your contact information up to date in the manufacturer’s database.
If you are traveling to an EU Country, and many other countries in the world, a microchip is mandatory as the immigration officers use it to compare the pet they are scanning to the veterinary documents you have presented.
INSIDE the United States the Home Again microchip by Destron or the Avid Micro Chip in either the nine digit encrypted verions or the Avid EURO 10 digit should be read by any shelter or veterinarian who has a universal scanner.
If you are traveling to an EU country and your pet has the nine digit microchip, either your pet will need more than one microchip or you will need to carry your own scanner.
In Europe, the standard pet microchip meets ISO standard 11784/17785 and is a 15 digit microchip operating at 134.2 kHz.
There are three commonly used types of microchips available from several different manufacturers and not all immigration offices in the various countries can read all three.
PETS WHO REMAIN IN THE USA:
If your pet will remain in the United States, then the Avid 9 digit encrypted chip or the Avid Euro Chip with 10 digits or the Home Again chips are acceptable, as nearly all animal shelters in the US have been equipped with scanners that will read these chips. The popularity of the 15 digit microchip is growning nationwide, as it is the world standard.
PETS TRAVELING TO AN EU COUNTRY:
If you are traveling to an EU Country then you want the 15 digit chip which meets ISO standards 11784/11785 134.2 kHz FECAVA. Beechwood Animal Hospital uses ISO standard 15 digit chips.
PETS TRAVELING IN EUROPE AND LIVING IN EUROPE:
If you are living in Europe or traveling throughout Europe then you should use a microchip a 15 digit chip at 134.2 khz such as the Datamars (Crystal Tag) microchip.
PETS TRAVELING TO OTHER COUNTRIES: For travel to all countries you should use ISO 15 digit microchip that meets ISO standards 11784/11785.
REGISTERING YOUR CHIP: The Microchip only contains a number. If your pet is lost it will be impossible for the agency who finds your pet to contact you unless you have registered the pet and the microchip number. You can register the microchip number with the company who made it or an independent company such has www.help4pets.com.
In addition to the microchip, your pet should have a pet tag on its collar with the pet’s name, your phone number, the microchip number and THE NAME OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHIP.
The identification number contained in the microchip must appear on all veterinary and vaccination certificates.
SCANNERS
If you are traveling to Europe the immigration people may be able to read the Home Again Chip or the Avid EuroChip (except France). However, if you are concerned then you can always carry your own scanner with you. Scanners are available for purchase or rental from Pet Travel Store. If your pet has the ISO 15 digit microchip then it is not necessary to carry your own scanner.
Click Here for information on the National Companion Animal Coalition Recognized Products
