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Problems with PetsMart Microchips

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist
Lee County Animal Services
(239) 432-2090 Ext. 241

New Pet Microchip ID Creates Difficulties for Shelters

Fort Myers, Florida, 4/12/04—The recent introduction of a new pet microchip ID to the local area that meets the International Standards Organization (ISO) requirements has created difficulties for local shelters. The new chip being used by Banfield Pet Hospitals throughout the PetsMart chain works on a different frequency that all other major microchip identification systems. Shelters across the nation are having difficulty with the chips since a separate scanner is needed to read the microchip. Lee County Animal Services and the Humane Society of Lee County have been using AVID microchips for years and were using a “universal” scanner. This scanner could detect all microchips from all manufacturers until the introduction of the ISO chip that operates on a different frequency.

The new ISO chip is being marketed as the ‘new gold standard’ in permanent pet identification. Supporters note the international standard and higher frequency as positive measures. Critics note that thousands of shelters do not have the proper equipment to detect these new high-frequency chips. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been the leader in educating the public about the issues surrounding the ISO chip detection. They have asked that the sale and use of the ISO microchip be temporarily halted until truly universal scanners are developed and distributed nationally. Banfield has encouraged the distribution of about 1000 ISO scanners nationwide. However, the tens of thousands of “universal” scanners used throughout the country cannot detect the newer ISO chip. Lee County Animal Services has been given a new ISO scanner by Dr. Taylor of the local Banfield Pet Hospital in an effort to be certain animals with the chip entering the public shelter as strays are detected. Banfield Pet Hospital has also ordered two additional scanners.

The challenge will be great for Lee County Animal Services with nearly 14,000 entering the shelter annually. Animal Services has over 30 “universal” scanners in operation in the field and throughout the shelter, the introduction of only one new scanner will create some difficulties. Employees at the shelter will have to scan animals with both scanners to determine if there is a microchip implant and then attempt to find the registered owner. Protocols are being discussed for implementation for the use of a single scanner to try to find any ISO microchip that may exist. Fortunately only a limited number of ISO microchips have been sold locally. However, animals entering the country from abroad likely have the new microchip implant. With the large number of international tourists coming to the area this raises the level of concern at Animal Services.

“We will strive to keep up with the changing technology and standards of microchip identification. Permanent pet identification is the best answer to reuniting lost pets with their owners. We are certain that all companies producing permanent microchip identification products will work to establish a new ‘universal’ scanner,’” said Scott Trebatoski, Director of Lee County Animal Services. “Until that time we will have to do the best we can with the resources available to us. Challenges are nothing new to the staff of public open-admission shelters.”

For more information contact Ria Brown at Lee County Animal Services (239) 432-2090 ext. 241; and Banfield Pet Hospital Media Line at (800) 838-6738 ext. 5597.