Makati to launch free microchips for pet dogs, cats

A pet dog in Makati gets a microchip implant. (Photo from the Makati Public Information Office)

Who let the dogs out – and lost them?

This won’t be a problem anymore for owners of dogs and cats in Makati as the city government is set to plant identification microchips for free to at least 32,000 canine and feline friends in October.

Makati City Hall said it would implement the PET iCHIP technology in all the 27 barangays next month.

These free-of-charge microchips will be implanted by licensed veterinarians from the Veterinary Services Office (VSO).

Dr. Ma. Katherina “Jing” Mangahas, VSO chief, said the biothermal microchips, no larger than a grain of rice, would contain information about the pet and its owner, as well as data on its rabies vaccination.

These could be implanted in both mature dogs and cats, as well as puppies and kittens.

These details would be uploaded to the city’s database, which would allow the VSO to monitor and check the number of dogs that had been given anti-rabies shots.

Mangahas said it would promote an “absolute pet recovery program” since the owner, address, contact information and the pet’s name would be entered in a database that could be accessed by various agencies.

The microchips can identify pets, prevent theft, and increase pet recovery after loss.

They can monitor the pet’s temperature, aid in disease monitoring, trace breed and genealogy, and assist in the rescue of animals in emergency.

The technology would also reduce the cost of redundant vaccination for pets and their humans.

Mangahas said the PET iCHIPs use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Once implanted, they are activated for life unless surgically removed.

The passive-type microchips, which work without batteries, will serve as a permanent ID and is read by passing a microchip scanner over the dog’s shoulder blades.

Mangahas said the microchips would be useful to pet owners who travel abroad since the chips comply with international standards and the 15-digit numeric code can be scanned anywhere.

In addition, VSO will be issuing “pet passports.” These will assist owners who travel with their fluffy friends abroad.

A dog lover herself, Mayor Abigail Binay said the program would protect both the pets and their owners.

“The technology will enable us to keep tabs on dogs, ensure they are in the best of health and return them to their rightful owners in case they get lost,” Binay said in a statment.

“This is important for people like us who consider dogs as part of our families,” she added.

According to Mangahas, the VSO already has 7,000 PET iCHIPs that would be implated on dogs wirh existing records at the office in October.

The rest of the microchips will be delivered within the year, the VSO chief added.

/atm