MICROCHIPS AND SCANNERS
Answers to the most common questions regarding AKC Reunite’s pet microchips and universal microchip scanners.
Microchips use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. It is wireless, using electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track attached or implanted objects for which it is attached or implanted. For pet microchips, the microchip is implanted subcutaneously between the pet’s shoulder blades under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and in accordance with all local laws and statues. Implantation is quick and relatively painless, similar to a vaccine.
The microchip is a PASSIVE device, meaning it has no power source of its own. There is no battery. That means it sleeps, until it’s activated by a reader. This is true for ALL microchips.
Hover over the arrows for more information on the specific features of our microchips.
The IC or integrated circuit is the “brain” of the microchip. It measures only 1mm x 1mm. That’s quite tiny. Imagine how difficult it is to pick up something that small, to hold it, and to attach anything to it.
Actually imagine now that the new generation ICs are only 3/4mm x 1/2mm. Even smaller.
For the regular microchip IC, you can see exactly how that looks below. On the IC you see here there are 64 bits 8×8. Each bit is essentially a switch, like a light switch, which can have one of two conditions: ”ON” which is binary one. And “OFF” which is a binary zero. So the IC is sending out a string of one’s and zero’s.
Each ISO-compliant IC sends a globally unique string of ones and zeros. Meaning there is no duplicate anywhere in the world. The reader receives this string and then, using an algorithm, which is essentially a fancy term for a math formula, converts it into a numeric code: the 15-digit ISO/International FDX-B code you see on the reader display.
The programming of these circuits is done by laser, in the Trovan system. This is a very sophisticated, computer-controlled nano-laser that targets and selectively burns out some of the bits, and leaves others intact, according to the directions it gets from the computer programming. That generates the unique sequence of zeros and ones, the “data telegram” that is transmitted to the reader. The ID number is permanent and can’t be changed once it’s been programmed.
The reader antenna receives this string of ones and zeros, which is a sequence of “on” and “off” signals, like Morse code. “dit dit daa daa”
STEP 1
The reader emits an electromagnetic field. When the microchip enters the field, it is energized and activated…
The electromagnetic energy from the reader is converted into electric energy inside the microchip’s miniscule antenna coil. And that electric energy powers up the IC, the brain of the microchip.
STEP 2
The chip immediately starts transmitting its unique ID code, that string of zeros and ones, which is sent out to the reader.
In the reader, receiver cells sense the minute transponder’s signal. The transponder’s digital code is displayed on the reader’s LCD screen.
The reader contains an algorithm, which is basically a math formula, that converts the string of zeros and ones in the data telegram, into the human readable numeric code and the transponder’s digital code is displayed on the reader’s LCD screen.
No line of sight is needed. You can read the tag in living tissue, under water, and under fur or even tortoise shells.
**The temp sensing function is an add on and not available with all RFID pet microchips. The way it works is a variation on this same theme as RFID. **
Think of the temp sensor as a digital thermometer. Like the kind you get at a drug store. There is no mercury.
The microchip’s temp sensor is extremely tiny, much, much smaller than the temp sensor in the CVS thermometer. Smaller in fact than even a pin head.
It detects the temperature in its immediate area, same as the sensor in the CVS thermometer. For dogs and cats, this would be the pet’s subcutaneous temperature at the microchip implantation site, between the pet’s shoulder blades. And once it has data that’s within its detection range it starts outputting this data to the processor in the IC, in the form of electrical energy: volts, and continues to output it as long as there is electric power to drive it.
The processor converts this temp data into a binary code using a math formula and then packages it into the data telegram, along with the ID code. The temperature and the ID number are transmitted together in one string: the data telegram.
In the reader, the binary code is interpreted using the reader’s algorithm to display the ID number and the temperature.
The Temp Sensor senses temperatures from 91.4F to 109.4F
These are temperatures you might reasonably expect in a living animal.
The temperature data fits in the existing FDX-B data telegram.
- The FDX-B protocol consists of 128 bits.
- ISO 11784/85 standard has only assigned 64 of these bits so far. These 64 bits make up the 15 digit numeric code you see when you scan the standard ISO microchip.
- The unused bits have been reserved for potential future uses and Trovan (the manufacturer of AKC Reunite microchips) uses some of those reserve bits to transmit temperature in its temp-sensing microchips.
- The temp sensing microchip has a special IC, which has a temp sensor onboard. It’s a different IC from the standard one in the regular Indigo microchips.
AKC Reunite currently offers three different types of Microchips. Their product specifications can be found here. Further information about the individual products follows:
New ISO Microchip +Temp
- Bio-compatible glass-encapsulated microchip with anti-migration Parylene coating in pre-sterilized 12 Gauge Needle.
- RFID device is ideal for permanently identifying all pets with a unique ID number.
- The temperature sensed by the ISO Microchip +Temp is directional and ideal for well-pet visits, but should not be used as a substitute for rectal temperature.
- The microchip is a passive device that can only be excited by a microchip scanner which looks for a 134.2 kHz/ISO Universal Microchip ID Number and if equipped, the pet’s subcutaneous temperature.
- ISO Microchip +Temp’s subcutaneous temperature can be read by the AKC Reunite ProScan +Temp, and HomeAgain ® Universal WorldScan Plus™ and HomeAgain® SafeScan™ and is sensed by an electronic digital thermometer similar to what you would buy at a drugstore. Please verify directly with manufacturer.
Indi ISO Minichip
- Bio-compatible glass-encapsulated microchip with anti-migration Parylene coating in pre-sterilized 15 Gauge Needle.
- RFID device is ideal for permanently identifying smaller and thin skinned animals with smooth coats.
- The microchip is a passive device that can only be excited by a microchip scanner which looks for a 134.2 kHz/ISO Universal Microchip ID Number
Indigo ISO + Microchip
- Bio-compatible glass-encapsulated microchip with anti-migration Parylene coating in pre-sterilized 12 Gauge Needle.
- RFID device is ideal for permanently identifying all pets with a unique ID number.
- The microchip is a passive device that can only be excited by a microchip scanner which looks for a 134.2 kHz/ISO Universal Microchip ID Number
A full listing of Microchip Scanners sold by AKC Reunite and their product specifications can be found here.
What are the Product Specifications?
Considering Buying Microchips?
How to Microchip Your Pet
You can call us at 800-252-7894 and we can see if we can find your pet’s microchip ID record by your phone number or email address. If we cannot, we suggest you have your vet scan the microchip to get the number, and then we’d be happy to look it up. FYI, Banfield pet hospitals have universal scanners and are happy to scan a pet a no charge.
If your pet has a microchip with prepaid enrollment, you will not be charged an enrollment fee to enroll your pet. Whoever purchased the microchip paid for the pet’s enrollment in advance.
We enroll any brand of microchip and charge no annual fees.
AKC Reunite microchips can be read by universal scanners. If your pet’s microchip is not being read, please contact us at 800-252-7894 or microchip@akcreunite.org with:
- Your pet’s ID number
- Who (i.e. name of veterinary practice) was unable to detect the microchip
- The brand/type of microchip scanner used to detect and read the microchip
With this information, a team member will help you identify if there is a problem with the microchip or if it is another issue. Many times there is nothing wrong with the microchip and all is okay, but the scanner used is very old and outdated. In rare instances, the microchip may have shifted after implantation and is not located at its original implantation site.
If a pet is enrolled under your name or organization as the Primary Contact, records can be updated through the Online Records System.
STILL NEED HELP?
Contact us at any time, any day at 800-252-7894 or CLICK HERE.
Our Microchip Sales Office Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm Eastern.
