The city government of Vigan, through its veterinary office, recently launched its free microchipping for pet identification system.
 
Dr. Rayeth Robineol, city veterinarian, explained what a microchip is and how it works.
 
She said the program is a part of the city’s pet identification system augmented under the Vigan City Animal Regulation and Control Code, which is also complementary to the city’s anti-rabies vaccination campaign drive.

How does it work?

It has certain radio-frequency identification or RFID implants injected to the skin of the pet which shall serve as its permanent identification.
 
“Mayroon kaming database sa details ng mga pet owners at iyong signalment ng asong naturukan ng microchip," Dr. Robineol said.
 
It is activated when a scanner is passed over the implantation area, which is available at the city veterinary office and/or some veterinary clinics in the country.
 
Dr. Robineol said the city veterinary office has a special scanner capable of reading microchips.
 
She added they cater to dogs and cats for microchipping.

It will help reunite a lost animal with its owner.

When a pet is found and taken to the veterinary office, their staff will scan the pet for a microchip.
 
If they do find a microchip, the number is matched in their database to determine the owner’s contact information then the pet will be easily returned.
 
“Isa sa kagandahan kasi niyan ay mayroon kaming database ng mga aso. Bukod sa inventory natin, mabibigyan kami ng isa pang pamamaraan para malaman natin kung ilan ang aso o pusa sa Vigan. Para halimbawa sila rin ay mahuli ng mga dog catchers or kapag sila ay mawala, mataas ang probability na mahanap sila, malaman kung kanino iyong aso at maibabalik natin sa may-ari,” Dr. Robineol said.
 
“At the same time, since may signalment kami sa aso, makikita rin namin sa database iyong health record ng aso,” she added.
 
She said a lost pet’s recovery rate is higher if it is chipped.

Although, it is not a tracking device.

“Nais naming i-clarify na hindi ito tracking device kundi RFID implant lamang,” she clarified.
 
She also added there is no need to microchip the pet for the second time as it lasts a lifetime.
 
 

It is generally safe.

Launched on December 10, Dr. Robineol assured the pet owners that microchipping is safe.
 
“During the microchipping na isinagawa natin noong launching ng programa ay kapag na-inject namin iyong microchip sa aso, medyo dumudugo lang iyong iba pero iyon lang ang nakita naming side effect pero generally safe ito,” she said.
 
“Right after ng pagka-implant namin ng chip ay okay na iyong aso,” she added.
 
They may contact or visit the city veterinary office in cases of emergency.
 
“Kung sakali na dudugo or magsusugat iyong implantation site, kailangan mag-apply ng first aid like pag-aapply ng iodine,” she said.

It is free.

“Free itong microchipping ng city government para sa mga Vigan City pet owners,” Dr. Robineol said.

Dr. Robineol also reminded the pet owners who have had their pets chipped to keep their information up-to-date.
 
“Ini-encourage namin lahat ng mga pet owners dito sa Vigan na i-register nila mga aso nila at the same time pabakunahan ng anti-rabies para maging eligible sila sa microchipping,” Dr. Robineol ended.
 
For interested pet owners, you may visit the city veterinary office at the city hall for more information or call the said office via 0995-305-9737 or message its official Facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/zethveterinarian.
 
In the province, Vigan City is the first local government unit to implement pet microchipping. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)