What is a microchip?
Do Microchips work?
When registered and scanned correctly, microchips will work almost 100% of the time. When a pet owner registers a pet’s microchip, the owner’s contact information can be looked up via a unique code. The code is retrieved by an external scanner via radio frequency identification data (RFID).
Why isn’t microchip scanning the standard for all veterinary professionals and shelters?
There are multiple microchip companies with multiple scanners, multiple radio frequencies, and multiple registration databases. As a result of no standardization, there is a lack of scanning altogether. Please see Peeva survey on microchipping
Furthermore, the Animal Welfare Act does not authorize the USDA-APHIS to regulate private pet ownership and concluded that it cannot mandate a national standard for pet microchips or scanners. There have been various attempts to petition this law by various factions and numerous initiatives to introduce new laws by other factions for at least 13 years.
How do microchips work?
Microchips have a unique identification number. If a pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, it should be scanned for a microchip to reveal the unique ID number. When a microchip scanner is passed over a pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. That number then needs to be entered into a pet recovery service and the rightful pet owner should be contacted using the contact information on file. For microchips to work they need to be registered.
Is microchipping painful for my pet?
No. They are slightly smaller than other microchips which means our syringes are smaller, the process of implanting them is not any more invasive than a routine vaccination, and it’s less invasive than other microchips. Peeva is ISO 11784/11785 compliant, as recommended by AAHA and AVMA.
How long will a microchip last?
A microchip will last the lifetime of your pet. Read more about microchips here. 134.2 kHz ISO standardized microchips can be read by any other brand’s scanner and at a slightly longer range.
Do Microchips contain medical information?
No. There are a few microchip registries that will let you store your pet’s medical records in their systems, but nobody has access to them except you. You’re better off just keeping that information on file or contacting your pet’s primary veterinarian. They will have that information.
Peeva Links Microchips to Pet Medical Records
Peeva links pet microchip IDs with pet medical records in a cloud-based EMR system that any participating veterinarian within the Peeva network will have access to. This has many benefits such as access to records after a primary veterinarian’s hours of operation, as well as across time zones.
Peeva can pull up a pet’s complete medical history simply by scanning a microchip. Peeva is the first to read, record, analyze and catalog any brand of microchip regardless of the manufacturer, but only a veterinary professional that is part of the Peeva network can look up your pet’s information. You will be notified either way. Microchips themselves do not store any information other than a code.
What is Microchip Frequency?
Microchip frequency is the frequency of the radio wave. Microchips in the US are 1 of 3 frequencies; 125 kiloHertz (kHz), 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz. Other examples of things that use RFID ((radio frequency identification data) include EZ Pass for toll booths and electronic tags to prevent shoplifting.
Is there a global standard?
There are standards in Canada and the EU. However, pet ownership is not regulated in the United States. This is why the potential of RFID and microchip technology is limited. There has been a push towards an ISO standard here in the United States for almost 2 decades.
Why isn’t there a national microchipping standard in the United States?
There are multiple microchip companies with multiple scanners, multiple radio frequencies, and multiple registration databases. Because there is no standardization, there is a lack of scanning consistency altogether. Further, The Animal Welfare Act does not authorize the USDA-APHIS to regulate private pet ownership and concluded that it cannot mandate a national standard for pet microchips or scanners. There have been various attempts to petition this law by various factions and numerous initiatives to introduce new laws by other factions – for at least 13 years. Needless to say, they have all been unsuccessful. To circumvent this issue, Peeva came up with a valid workaround.
Can I have my pet implanted with an ISO standardized pet microchip?
Yes. Peeva’s microchips are ISO standardized 134.2 KhZ microchips certified by ICAR. You can learn more about our microchips here and more about the importance of obtaining an ICAR certification here.
Do the benefits of microchipping outweigh the risks?
Microchipping animals comes with minimal to no risks and offers numerous benefits. It’s important to note that not all shelters or veterinary clinics routinely scan for microchips unless specifically requested, and they are cognizant of concerns related to missing implanted microchips. In certain cases, extra measures to detect a microchip may not be taken before decisions regarding euthanasia or adoption are made. While some “universal” scanners have been introduced, they may not be truly universal as they cannot detect various microchip frequencies used for different brands of microchips. Peeva is actively addressing this issue to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of microchip scanning and reuniting lost pets with their owners.
What should I do to maintain my pet’s microchip?
Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do:
- Make sure the microchip is registered with Peeva
- Ask your veterinarian to scan it at least once to see if it works
- Keep your contact information up-to-date in the Peeva registry
What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Data, a technology that relies on an external scanner to read a microchip’s distinct identifier. This identifier is activated by a radio wave when an external scanning device passes over the microchip.
What do you mean by “reactive”?
Microchips are “reactive” because they are permanent and can’t be tampered with. So if someone takes your pet’s collar off and eventually takes it to a vet in the Peeva network, you will be notified right away.
Is there anything I need to do after my pet has a microchip implanted?
Yes. You first need to register the microchip with Peeva. You should also have it checked every time you go to a vet to make sure it didn’t migrate to another part of your pet’s body which can sometimes happen.
