Micro chipping.

Princess Ivy · 06-21-2006, 09:16 PM

Now i'm asking for some clarification. i want to get pet insurance for my cats, now three of them, but before i can do that, they have to be microchipped. But if someone tried to microchip me so that they could keep track of me, i'd have a fit, so why is it any different for my cats? they aren't possessions, but members of my family. and if they tried to microchipped my kids, i'd sue sue sue. so, what do you feel about this sort of 'big brother' technology as applicable to people, and then do animals have the same rights as people? and how do we aply these standards to them?

Leto · 06-21-2006, 09:58 PM

It's not the same kind of chip. It's identification like a tattoo (who's now banned in EU), but they can't get rid of it. It's a safe procedure - just put the chip under the animal with a needle and that's it. The chip itself has no power : the only info it has in his the ID number of the animal giving its type (a cat), its age approx and that's it. From this number, a vet can have access to over the Net (securely) medical file of the cat (vaccination and so on, mostly) and to the owner of the cat (the last one who gave the info and his/her address at the time). To read the chip, the vet must be within 10 centimeters of the animal, not really a big brother thing - only vets can access to medical files. And use a special device just to read the number.
It's the pet equivalent of an ID card,
Think about the chip in question, as the ID card you had in SA or the passport you use in UK.

Princess Ivy · 06-21-2006, 10:19 PM

firstly there are many people who object to the idea of id cards and passports, but the point of this is that it is done without the permission of the animal, they have no choice in the matter and neither do i. i know its wierd to say, but it just seems like forcing human ways onto those who don't want them. also have to say that while i don't mind an id book etc, or having finger prints on file, the idea of having an id microchip implanted into me would freak me out. also, how safe is this safe data base really? as has been proven so many times nothing is that secure.

Phyllis Sidheuaine · 06-21-2006, 11:52 PM

Microchips are also used by animal control officers and others who deal with that. It (the chip) lets the "pound" know that this creature resides with this person.

Imagine how you would feel if someone ":kitty:napped" your furred purrsons and tried to sell them to a research facility or bring them to a vet to get some form of surgery done to them (a couple here in Milwaukee [reputable breeders] had their champion purebreed dogs stolen from their backyard and the dogs were returned after being spayed/neutered, decreasing their value and their status within the AKC circle. The male was supposed to mate with another breeder's female, so the couple had to reimburse the other breeder the stud fee.) Worse yet, use your beloved furred purrsons in "training" a dog for dogfighting or for "exotic furs" (some wastes of a good night's adult entertainment do this crap [pardon the language].)

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Princess Ivy · 06-22-2006, 12:42 AM

i somehow don't think that being microchipped would save one of my kitties from any of the fates you've described, firstly i doubt that the relevant vivisectionist would bother checking the animal's credentials and secondly people stealing animals for fighting probably wouldn't take them to vets with the integrity to return them.

Leto · 06-22-2006, 06:56 AM

Nope, it wouldn't save them from this. Yet, if they get lost, and someone find the, vet in the refuge or in the administration can locate the owner (provide he/she kept giving his/her adress after the chip is inserted) and also check if the cat has had all his vaccinations (including the rabie one). The second point can save their life, as they won' t be killed to prevent any kind of epizootie.

It's exactly as the former tattoo branding in the ear.
Here's more details on the UK situation : http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/...st_found.shtml
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Sate...d=996827946590

Alexa · 06-22-2006, 01:14 PM

I feel save having mine inside, even if Ce'Nedra meows every day to go out.

Princess Ivy · 06-23-2006, 09:56 PM

and what of the information about us that is part of the pets veterinary record?

Phyllis Sidheuaine · 06-23-2006, 10:35 PM

I believe it's contact information, nothing more (I'll have to ask people who are really "in the know" about that.)

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Leto · 06-24-2006, 08:57 AM

Phylis is right it's just contact info : name, phone and postal address. If you change phone numbers or address you have to voluntary call the organization responsible of it (in UK PetLog) to give them the updates.