By Dr. Olutunde John Olarinde
If you ever think that the use of microchips and identification in pets is a technology that is found and applicable in only the developed and advanced countries of the world, then have a rethink as you are in for a joker as this technology has found its way into the ever developing and evolving pets and animal health sector of the Nigerian Economy.
Pet microchip evolved with the advent of the whirlwind of technological innovations and explosions in the world especially in the area of information and communication technology.
It has evolved to complement the conventional modes of identification in pets and animals like collar with tags, rabies vaccination tags, state or city identification license tags in small animals (pets) and ear tags or body tattoos in large animals like cattle, sheep, pigs and goats in the livestock industry which has some drawbacks.
The drawbacks are that these conventional methods may be altered, removed, fall off and lost or overtime the engraving or writing on these tags may wear and fade making it difficult to read.
What is Pet microchip? Pet microchip is a very tiny computer chip i.e. identifying integrated circuit or transponder that has a unique identification number. It is so small that it is about the size of a large uncooked grain of rice. The chip is enclosed in an inert biocompatible glass material that is tolerated by the pet’s body.
Although micro chipping can be done at any age, it is advisable to do it as part of the registration process of your new puppy or kitten with the veterinary clinic where it is inserted under the skin with a special syringe and does not require the patient to be under anesthesia for insertion. It offers the advantage of a once in a lifetime, permanent (removed only by surgery), not –easily removable means of tagging and identifying your pets like Dogs, cats and birds.
Pet microchip works with the unique identification number being attached to the pet
The pet microchip serves various purposes ranging from quick, reliable and easy access to the owner in case your lovely pet got lost or stolen and was later found. It is also important in dispute resolution as
The microchip works with a scanner that reveals the unique identification number on its screen when passed over the body of the pet and this number is then matched with the pet owners and pet information in the database for pets that has had its number registered. This is very useful in the reunification of the pet with its owner in the case of a lost and found pet.
Overall, without overemphasizing the importance of this technological innovation, it is imperative to advise pet owners to take advantage of it especially with the numerous benefits that are attached while at the same time not to totally discard the other conventional methods, as the combination of the two works best for the pet.
It is also germane to advise Governments at all levels in Nigeria to take a cursory look at this technological feat, with the plan of making it mandatory just as with the motor vehicle registration, and as was done in the years passed before the oil boom, where a pet owner must acquire and renew its license annually for keeping a pet.
This will help in enforcing most importantly among other things the ever important annual re-vaccinations against rabies infection and also in harnessing the benefits of it for having a National database of pets and pet owners in Nigeria for statistics collection in documentations, planning and projection
