Would you like Chips with that?
Dr Jules Wilson MRCVS of the Maunu Rd branch of the Northland Veterinary Group HAS THIS SAY...
The familiar catch phrase of a fast food chain may soon become a common phrase in the vet clinic. The technology of electronic microchips is becoming more and more available as well as less and less costly.
The silicone-coated micro chips are about the size of a grain of rice. With the help of a little anesthetic these chips can be inserted under the neck skin of your pets, giving them indelible and lifelong identity information. In any situation which demands precise identification of your pet, eg if they go with you to Australia or the UK or if they are picked up after being lost for a short while, a small scanner can pick up the exact identity of you pet.
In the case of a lost cat or dog the vet or SPCA Inspector will be able to access the "chip database" and soon phone you up to tell you that they have found your lost pet.
Many countries now insist on the chipping of all owned dogs and cats so that they may be registered and, if lost, returned happily to their owners. At the moment the NZ government are deciding whether to make it law for ALL dogs to be chipped by 2006 OR if only "dangerous dogs" need to chipped.
I wonder who the brave fellows will be who get to run their hand held scanner over the necks of those ferocious canines in order to return them to their concerned owners. I am sure there are other much more effective ways of getting to grips with the dangerous dog or rather the dangerous dog owner problem in this country.
I invite you now to send your solutions on a postcard only c/o SPCA Whangarei, PO Box 564, Whangarei. We will forward the best and most polite ones on to the appropriate government department.
If you would like more information on microchipping of your pet please do not hesitate to phone the receptionists and vets of the Whangarei Vet Services on (09) 438 7824 hopefully we will be able to answer all of your questions.
Issue 3
Back to top