THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507250108
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Ever since computer-chip designers turned their attention to pet identification, they have been refining their implant technology. And their latest efforts were unveiled last week in demonstrations that included a local veterininary clinic.
The new effort is called the HomeAgain Companion Animal Retrieval System, in which a tiny microchip, smaller than a grain of rice and containing an identification number, is implanted in the animal as part of a permanent pet identification system. Veterinarians implant the chip between the animal's shoulder blades and then register the number with the American Kennel Club.
``There are a lot of strays around here, and this is an area where a lot of people let their pets run loose,'' said Dr. Kate Bouvier, owner of Rogers Veterinary Clinic in Smithfield, which will offer the new system. ``This is designed to alleviate a lot of the problems created when animals without collars are taken to the pound.''
Should the animal ever get lost, any veterinarian or animal shelter nationwide can read the identification number with a hand-held scanner. With a phone call to the Kennel Club, the pet's owner can then be identified and contacted.
The HomeAgain System was unveiled nationwide last week by Schering-Plough Animal Health, a division of New Jersey-based Schering Corp. Company representatives demonstrated the system at several veterinary offices in Hampton Roads, including The Oaks Veterinary Clinic in Smithfield.
Oaks owner Dr. Ryland Edwards and his associate, Dr. Sharon Browder, say they believe pet owners will find the one-time implant cost of about $45 worth the investment. Edwards said The Oaks will offer the implant in its animal-wellness program.
``If your pet got lost, it would make it a lot easier to find,'' Browder said.
The HomeAgain system is the third pet retrieval system using a microchip to debut in the last decade. Edwards said HomeAgain has solved the two main problems of those systems: Microchips sometimes moved from where they were originally implanted, and the two companies' microchips could not be read by the other's scanner.
Schering-Plough is distributing scanners at no charge to animal shelters, humane societies and other animal-control agencies across the country.
Dr. Robert May, owner of Smithfield Animal Hospital, which will not be offering the implants, said the company's distribution of scanners is vital to the program's success.
``The concept is great, but everybody needs to participate in order for it to work,'' May said. ``That means not only veterinarians but animal-control officers and humane societies all over the country.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Dr. Sharon Browder implants a microchip, smaller than a grain of
rice and containing an identification number, in her dog, Three.
by CNB