AVMA revises policy on identifying microchips in lost pets

Schaumburg, Ill.

-- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) revised its policy on electronic identification for pets.

The change was made to help clarify the issue of establishing ownership through microchipping, the association reports. The new section reads:

"In the situation where an animal that has a microchip is found and brought to a veterinarian with no claim of ownership, the veterinarian should contact the microchip database company to locate the owner of record. If unsuccessful, the proper animal control authority should then be contacted for assistance, consistent with any local ordinance."

The AVMA still recommends scanning all animals for microchips and noting numbers in patient records for future identification. If clients are unaware of the presence of a microchip, veterinarians are encouraged to provide contact information for the microchip database company, but doctors are under no obligation to resolve issues of ownership.

Click here to read the entire " Objectives and Key Elements Needed for Effective Electronic Identification of Companion Animals, Birds, and Equids."