Now, a grain-sized microchip for pets in Gwalior

Gwalior, April 3 : Tracing a missing pet has become easy in Gwalior city after introduction of microchip system for animals here. The relatively new system for the locals has attracted a lot of people in the city.

This microchip is a tiny transponder of the size of an uncooked rice grain. In fact it is a permanent radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip that a veterinarian implants just beneath the dog's skin by injecting it.

According to Dr. Vinod Vyas, the veterinarian who introduced this concept here, the microchips could be a crucial help in searching the pets in case of theft or injury. It would also help the pet owners to take care of their animals in a better way.

"I have injected microchip in 250-300 dogs till now. Most of the dog owners I know are happy after getting their dogs injected with it. It is like a small grain of rice, which is fitted near the neck of the dog," said Dr. Vinod Vyas.

"This microchip has a 16-digit number that helps in tracing the dog when lost. Secondly, if the dog is taken by road, train or air the identification number helps the owner to collect the pet. Thirdly, the vaccination and delivery of the dog is also noted with the help of the 16-digit number," Dr.Vyas informed.

The chip carries all relevant details related to the particular animal and help in keeping track of them when required. The data stored in the microchip also informs when the vaccination is due or in case of the female dog delivering puppies.

Besides, the microchips are claimed to be a major help as a protection for dogs while being taken out of the city.

These microchips cost rupees 1,200 to 1,500 per pet and can be read with the help of a scanner.

Many pet lovers have welcomed the new methodology and got it done on their cannies.

"We have got the microchips injected in our dogs and received an identification number. If we have to travel abroad and use this number in airports, we can get our dogs. If it gets lost, we can get the dog back using this identification number," said Shrashab Singh, a pet owner

A microchip remains in a pet's body for the rest of its life since it cannot be cut off or altered. At the most, it may shift under the skin of a dog.

Microchips have also been extensively used for the tamed elephants in Kerala in the past. y Ashok Pal

ANI