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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 6, 1998 - 9 Chips provide fool-proof ID system for dogs, cats By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star How many times have you seen a dog wearing a collar, yet it isn't sporting any dog tags? Chances are ifsthis dog becomes lost or stolen it might never be reunited again with its owners. But a new innovation in pet identification is becoming more popular with the use of microchips. A microchip is a tiny capsule, about the size of a grain of rice, containing a computer chip that stores an alphanumeric code, specific and unique to the particular animal it's implanted in. Unlike tattoos that fade over time or tags that get lost, the one-time injection of a microchip stays with your pet for life. The procedure sees the microchip injected under the skin with an instru- ment much like a hypo- dermic needle, making the process no different than when your pet is vac- cinated. The procedure, which is done by a veterinarian, is simple, quick, and caus- es minimal or no discom- fort to your pet. And Al m o st because the microchips are produced of biologi- cally inert materials and individually sterilized and packaged, they are safe and do not cause a tissue reaction. The microchip contains no internal battery, but is powered by energy it receives from a scanner. Only veterinarians who have the appropriate scanners can perform the procedure. So if you're interested in having your pet microchipped, check to see if your veterinarian is equipped to do the job. Microchipping is also a system that has no geo- graphical boundary and is applicable throughout North America, making it the best insurance you can provide for your pet's quick return home in the event it becomes lost or stolen. : When you take your dog in to be microchipped, the owner will be given a dog tag and a form to fill out which includes his/her name and address, SIN number, driver's licence and telephone number. Also included is the name of the clinic and veteri- narian who implanted 1998 Cadillac Catera your pet. The form also has an identification num- ber identical to the one on the tag, and this same number appears on the scanner when the animal 1s scanned. "Microchipping is a great way to identify stray or stolen dogs," Keith Elliott, veterinarian at Port Perry Veterinary Services said. "Even if the tag is lost, the animal will still be quickly traced back to its owners once it's scanned." The cost is $53.60, a fee recommended by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. Most animal shelters are equipped with scan- ners, too. When a stray 1s brought into the Uxbridge/Scugog Animal Shelter, the animal is immediately scanned for a microchip. If one is pre- sent, a specific identifica- tion code is displayed on the scanner. By phoning the sup- porting database used: throughout North America, the animal is quickly traced to its owner, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This database ensures imme- Never-Ending 2.9 EE Res WA Port Perry veterinarian Keith Elliott says microchips are an ideal means of providing identification for household pets. It costs just over $50, and is more effective than collar tags. diate owner identification and avoids delays often experienced with tattoos or tags. If pet owners have a microchipped pet and either give it away or sell it, it's important to make sure the new owner's name and address are sent to the central database. "We've contacted people whose number showed on the scanner, then find out they don't own the animal anymore. It just speeds up the process of identify- ing the animal," Shirley Kohler, Scugog and Uxbridge Animal Control Officer, said. Several municipalities are now offering a one- time licencing fee, instead of an annual one, if your pet is microchipped. For instance in Oshawa, owners of spayed or neutered animals with microchips pay a one-time licencing fee of $10, before March 31, and $15 there- after. If the animal is not spayed or neutered the costs are $20 and $25, respectively. However, if they're not microchipped, the annual B o x GMAC Purchase Financing* Didn't get exactly what you wanted this Christmas? 1998 Cadillac DeVille 1998 Cadillac Eldorado O O UP TO 48 MONTHS n g D a vy 1997 Cadillac Seville licencing fees for a neutered dog are $5 and $10. Animals that haven't been fixed are charged $35 and $40 annually. Oshawa implemented the new one-time licenc- ing fees in 1996, and the system is becoming more popular as months go by, Animal Control Officer John Williams said. Scugog Township hasn't gone this route. Instead, its annual fees of neutered or spayed dogs are $10 each and $15 for each male or female dog. E v e n t - 2.9" 48 month GMAC purchase financing available on 1998 Catera -1998 DeVille 1998 Eldorado -1997 Seville Offer ends January 11, 1998 Includes the exclusive 4 year/80,000 Km No-Charge Scheduled Maintenance Program ** 12800263-2000 Will =] 905+852¢3331 : Ux a of DE ig You should know this: *Purchase Financing on approved GMAC credie only, Example: $15,000 at 2.9% APR, the me nthly payment is $331.35 for 48 months. Col of boreowing is $904.80. Total obligation is $15,904.80. Priva avon [Cf IER) payment of your ext new CM vee + rake anlfor security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amonnt Rorrowed and down payment/irade. **No-charge regularly scheduled maintenance, cov Shs inspection and/or { What's YOUF card done for YOU lately ? replacement and/or service of certain items. See dealer for details. *Offers apply to the purchase of new or demonstrator models of vehicles equipped as deferibed and applies to plified retail Sudo o Ontario only. Dealer Ne Se on ce er 4 en wn trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for ess: Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers. See your dealer for conditrons and details www ymcanada com isa reademark of General Motors Corporation neading Fi compe BUS Ih whol SAGE Se Ths Garey Vote Deir