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Walt Ingwersen, Co-chairman Microchip Committee

E-mail: wjjc.ingwersen@sympatico.ca

Microchipping – A Consumer’s Dilemma?

The advent of microchip technology has revolutionized pet identification through miniaturized bar code technology and has the potential to provide far more significant benefits for the pet, pet owner, and veterinary care giver. From simple, rapid pet-owner reunion to far more sophisticated applications, such as immediate access to the pet’s medical history and physiological (i.e., glucose) sensing capabilities, we are on the cusp of this technology’s utility.

As with any technology, the bridge from concept to implementation often presents its own set of unique, "non-technological" issues. At the end of this bridge are the user groups (i.e., veterinarians) who, although aware of microchipping’s many benefits, are often cautious regarding its implementation, wanting to ensure that product performance lives up to marketing information. Behind the users are the actual product consumers (i.e., pet owner) who look towards the veterinary profession for their valued opinion. Many WSAVA members find themselves in this very scenario and look towards their umbrella veterinary medical associations for guidance on these issues. The WSAVA Microchip Committee was formed, not only to be a member resource for questions pertaining to microchip identification, but to also play an active role in its evolution. To this end, this committee has become a "consumer advocate group" and has had, and is still having, a tremendous impact on a number of key issues that will benefit WSAVA members and microchip users.

Some of the committee accomplishments and ongoing areas of involvement include:

Direct participation within the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) deliberations on global standardization thereby ensuring that user issues are addressed

The establishment of standardized implantation sites for all species of animals which was recently adopted by the ISO which can be found on this web site

The broader distribution of an adverse reaction protocol with information collation to better ascertain product performance (form to be available on this web site shortly)

Amalgamation of data bases to better ensure seamless owner identification regardless of manufacturer/distributor resulting in the establishment of EuroPetNet in Europe.

WSAVA member association liaison to ensure our collective user experience is shared and to assist each other in addressing areas of mutual concern.

Easy access to factual information regarding this technology and its implementation (see article on separate page of this web site).

As well, the committee members keep "our ears to the ground" to ensure that we quickly address issues that may impact on the user/consumer groups (see article on 999 microchips this web site).

As one can imagine, the issues involved are often complex and industry (i.e., self-interest) driven. Also, providing a global perspective presents equally challenging issues as user group needs and technology implementation varies considerably from continent to continent and country to country. However, the members of the WSAVA Microchip Committee are committed to providing a continued voice to ensure that the WSAVA membership (and ultimately the pet/owner) are well represented and that user issues remain front and center.

E-mail-wjjc.ingwersen@sympatico.ca

Microchipping – A Consumer’s Dilemma?

The advent of microchip technology has revolutionized pet identification through miniaturized bar code technology and has the potential to provide far more significant benefits for the pet, pet owner, and veterinary care giver. From simple, rapid pet-owner reunion to far more sophisticated applications, such as immediate access to the pet’s medical history and physiological (i.e., glucose) sensing capabilities, we are on the cusp of this technology’s utility.

As with any technology, the bridge from concept to implementation often presents its own set of unique, "non-technological" issues. At the end of this bridge are the user groups (i.e., veterinarians) who, although aware of microchipping’s many benefits, are often cautious regarding its implementation, wanting to ensure that product performance lives up to marketing information. Behind the users are the actual product consumers (i.e., pet owner) who look towards the veterinary profession for their valued opinion. Many WSAVA members find themselves in this very scenario and look towards their umbrella veterinary medical associations for guidance on these issues. The WSAVA Microchip Committee was formed, not only to be a member resource for questions pertaining to microchip identification, but to also play an active role in its evolution. To this end, this committee has become a "consumer advocate group" and has had, and is still having, a tremendous impact on a number of key issues that will benefit WSAVA members and microchip users.

Some of the committee accomplishments and ongoing areas of involvement include:

Direct participation within the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) deliberations on global standardization thereby ensuring that user issues are addressed

The establishment of standardized implantation sites for all species of animals which was recently adopted by the ISO which can be found on this web site

The broader distribution of an adverse reaction protocol with information collation to better ascertain product performance (form to be available on this web site shortly)

Amalgamation of data bases to better ensure seamless owner identification regardless of manufacturer/distributor resulting in the establishment of EuroPetNet in Europe.

WSAVA member association liaison to ensure our collective user experience is shared and to assist each other in addressing areas of mutual concern.

Easy access to factual information regarding this technology and its implementation (see article on separate page of this web site).

As well, the committee members keep "our ears to the ground" to ensure that we quickly address issues that may impact on the user/consumer groups (see article on 999 microchips this web site).

As one can imagine, the issues involved are often complex and industry (i.e., self-interest) driven. Also, providing a global perspective presents equally challenging issues as user group needs and technology implementation varies considerably from continent to continent and country to country. However, the members of the WSAVA Microchip Committee are committed to providing a continued voice to ensure that the WSAVA membership (and ultimately the pet/owner) are well represented and that user issues remain front and center.