Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Identipet?
What is an Identipet microchip?
How is it implanted?
Is it painful?
How does it work?
What is the Identipet Microchip System?
Tell me about your App
What happens after my pet is microchipped?
Who holds the database?
What happens if my pet is lost?
How well does the Identipet system work?
Who can scan my lost pet?
Can the microchip migrate?
What animals can be microchipped?
What does the microchip cost?
Is there an Annual Identipet Service Fee?
My pet was microchipped abroad. Can you register him/her onto the Identipet National Animal Database?
If my pet dies must I notify Identipet?
Who is Identipet?
Identipet has been operating in South Africa since 1989 and supplies the vast majority of the Southern African market of implantable microchips for animal identification.
The NSPCA has partnered with Identipet and acknowledges Identipet as their preferred supplier of microchips, scanners and animal recovery services.
What is an Identipet microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic microcircuit sealed into a biocompatible glass tube. The Identipet regular size is 11mm long and 2mm wide, while the Identipet Petite chip, which is suitable for smaller breeds, is 10.3mm long and 1.4mm wide.
Identipet microchips are not tracking devices. They are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide permanent ID for your pet. Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like a GPS. When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip will last your pet’s lifetime.
There are NO microchips that are tracking devices, as tracking devices need a power source (battery) which in implantable microchips is not possible.
How is it implanted?
Each microchip is individually packaged in a sterile syringe. This is then a simple injection at the inoculation site (for dogs and cats) between the shoulder blades by a veterinarian.
Is it painful?
No more than any inoculation.
How does it work?
The microchip has an unalterable unique number coded into it. This microchip number is read by means of a scanner. The scanner emits an electro-magnetic wave that instantaneously “excites” the microchip. The microchip responds to the scanner with its number, which can then be read off the scanner’s screen. Only the microchip number appears on the screen, and not the owner and pet details.
The microchip number is totally unique and from a series of 34 billion unique numbers. It is never duplicated, altered or erased. Its uniqueness will stand up in a court of law. Identipet supplies the companion animal world in South Africa with 10 digit (alpha-numeric) microchips and 15 digit microchips.
What is the Identipet Microchip System?
The Identipet microchip system is both unique and comprehensive and now offers you the powerful Rapid Alert™ and Pet Rescuer Network™ benefits:
- Rapid Alert™ – you are immediately notified by SMS when your lost pet is scanned at a vet, welfare organisation or other scanning facility that is part of our Pet Rescuer Network.
- Trace Back™ – Identipet microchips are registered to your vet at the time of delivery so the microchip is traceable to your pet at all times.
- Pet Rescuer Network™ – If your pet goes missing you can be reassured that we have thousands of registered Pet Rescuers in suburbs around South Africa, who will be alerted to the emergency if they live within a 5km radius of where you indicate that your pet went missing. The notification will include a poster and select contact details chosen by you. We are constantly building this network.
Tell me about your App
Using your mobile device, the Identipet mobile app ensures a highly secure connection that:
- ensures easy communication
- allows you to register new pets
- securely transfer ownership of pets
- mark your pet as deceased
- receive your certificate of ownership by email at the click of a button
- report your pet as lost to our powerful Pet Rescuer Network
- locate emergency vet near to where you your pet are in real time
- link your pet’s microchip to your regular vet for added peace of mind
- enables you to keep photographs of your pet and their vaccination cards on your mobile device
What happens after my pet is microchipped?
Each microchip is packaged with a four-part registration form. The veterinarian completes the form with the owner and animal details. The veterinarian, the owner, Identipet, and the breed society keep copies of the form. Registration onto the Identipet National Animal Database can be done online here, or quickly and easily by downloading our world class app which is available on the South African App Store and Google Play.
Who holds the database?
Identipet loads the information sent back to them onto the Identipet National Animal Database – the largest animal database in Africa.
Vets, SPCAs, Animal Welfare Societies etc. can access this database information from the Identipet office (011 957 3455/6 or a/h 0829573455), and also via the Identipet App and internet at https://amla.org.za/.
What happens if my pet is lost?
Most lost animals are taken to a vet or SPCA. The animal is scanned for a microchip, and the Identipet Database is contacted. Owner information is shared with the registered Vet practice or welfare organization in order to make contact with the relevant owner.
How well does the Identipet system work?
Brilliantly! Identipet annually reunites several thousand lost or stolen animals with their owners. Data provided by the SPCA shows that the average time that it takes to re-home a lost pet (that has been microchipped) animal is two hours, compared with several days for an unidentified animal, if that animal is not adopted it may eventually be euthanased.
Who can scan my lost pet?
Hundreds of users of the Identipet system, with over 2000 scanners countrywide. Most vets in the large centers (and many in the smaller centers) are equipped to scan all lost, abandoned or stolen animals. All branches of the SPCA, as well as Animal Welfare Organisations are supplied with Identipet-scanners to assist them in the identification of lost, strayed, stolen, abandoned and adopted pets.
Can the microchip migrate?
Identipet FDB-b microchips do not migrate once inserted thanks to our patented BioBond™ technology of an antimigration cap .
What animals can be microchipped?
Any animal. From fingerling fish to rhino and elephants.
What does the microchip cost?
The microchip and insertion can cost anywhere between R150 to R450 depending on the practice or welfare conducting the insertion. Your pet is then identifiable for life. The microchip never “wears” out. Your pet will always have an identity. It is the ultimate act of love that you can give your pet.
Is there an Annual Identipet Service Fee?
There is no annual fee for any pets with an Identipet microchip, irrespective of the year that the animal had the microchip inserted. The only payment will be to the vet or welfare who conduct the insertion of the microchip.
My pet was microchipped abroad. Can you register him/her onto the Identipet National Animal Database?
The Identipet National Animal Database can store ALL manufacturer’s microchips (local and international). Registering your pet on the Identipet National Animal Database is a free service and can be done by completing this form.
If my pet dies must I notify Identipet?
Please call or send us an email notifying us that your pet is deceased. We will then amend our database.
