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The WSAVA has recognised Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) as the gold standard for identification of companion animals.

RFID devices (also known as microchips or transponders) come in a variety of types which are not all compatible. For over 10 years WSAVA has supported the work of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) in developing a single open standard that can be used anywhere on the globe. Universal adoption of this standard will mean that any transponder can be reliably read by any reader.

Currently transponders only store their unique identification number. Their use must be complimented by a reliable and available database which links this number to the owner and details of the animal carrying the transponder. The information in this database must be kept up to date and accessible.

The WSAVA continues to work with the ISO, promoting the adoption and implementation of the single international standard and in developing new standards for advanced transponders with additional functions.

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The Importance of ISO

As described above, the ISO and its participating national standards associations and RFID industry representatives have been instrumental in developing a sustainable solution to the incompatibility issues that plagued this technology. This page is dedicated to detailing the work of ISO, both to date (ISO Standards 11784 and 11785) and for the future (Standards related to advanced transponders)

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WSAVA Microchip Committee Report � May 2007

In the last six months the following issues have been discussed in the Committee

• WSAVA membership of AMACA - rejected
• WG3 paper on how to deal with a failed microchip (N357r1) - supported.
• WSAVA support was added to the conformance testing paper drawn up by WG3
• Terms of reference for the Committee were drafted and agreed with the Board
• A draft budget has been outlined for 2008

Outside correspondence

• An enquiry from a statutory authority in Australia about reader availability was handled by Roger

At present the Committee is in the process of working on two projects:

• Updating the web site microchip pages
• Drafting a paper for the Board on negotiating with the authorities and kennel clubs on microchip issues. At present the Committee is awaiting guidance from the Board on what is required.

The Chairman will attend the next meeting of WG3 which is due to be held in Spain in September. It seems unlikely that budget constraints will allow him to attend the WSAVA Congress in Australia.

WSAVA Microchip Committee Projects

WSAVA Microchip Survey Results - November 2002

To better evaluate the current status of microchip identification globally with specific interest on the adoption and implementation of the ISO microchip standards, the WSAVA microchip committe surveyed WSAVA member associations and provided a report on their findings.

Veterinary List of Recommended Implant Sites

From dog to dromedary, this report (prepared by Fred Nind of the WSAVA microchip committee and adopted by the ISO) provides guidelines as to standardized microchip implantation sites. Hints on improving reader performance are also provided.

Microchipping - A Technology in Transition

This article provides an overview of the move towards microchip technology that adheres to the ISO standards and offers suggestions as to adoption and implementation strategies.

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National Microchip Efforts
This page provides information on past and present microchip initiatives in various WSAVA Member Association countries

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Microchip Efficacy and Safety
Can microchips cause cancer as some have suggested? Is microchip migration a problem and if so, what can be done about it?
Find information that will allow the microchip user to separate fact from fiction on problems attributed to microchip use.

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Microchip FAQs
Answers to commonly asked microchip questions