The microchip 2.0: Overcoming present hurdles and unlocking future potential

Picture this: your neighbor sees a lost dog on the street but doesn’t know what to do. They post a lost dog on Nextdoor, ask their neighbors if they know who the dog belongs to, and then think about taking the dog to the animal shelter, as maybe they’ll be able to help find the dog’s owner. 

The missing link here is education about microchipping. Often animals have a microchip implanted when they’re young, but the pet owners have nearly no involvement with the process. They simply provide their contact details, drop their pet off, and it’s done. Pet microchipping has a huge opportunity to be more than a black box when it could be the difference between never seeing your pet again and bringing him or her home to you.

“From an innovation perspective, there’s a lot that can be done,” says Olivia White, founder and CEO of Check the Chip. “At the end of the day, there is no better way to ensure that if your pet is lost, they’ll make it home. The infrastructure doesn’t exist. It’s like creating 911 but not telling people the phone number if there’s an emergency.”

In this article, we’ll explore the current challenges with microchipping and a glimpse into what the future of microchipping could hold.

5 Issues with the current microchipping system

While pet microchipping has undoubtedly improved pet identification, it’s not without its challenges. Let’s take a closer look at some of the hurdles we’re facing and how they impact the effectiveness of this technology.

1. Limited accessibility to scanners

Currently, microchip scanners are primarily in the hands of veterinarians, animal shelters, and some animal control officers. This restriction can significantly delay the process of identifying and returning lost pets, especially if someone finds a pet outside of business hours or far from these facilities.

2. Lack of standardization

Believe it or not, not all microchips are created equal. In fact, there are three different frequencies in use: 125 kHz, 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz. This lack of standardization stems from historical developments and regional differences. While there’s been an international agreement on the 134.2 kHz ISO standard, the U.S. market has been slower to adopt this uniformly.

Imagine a lost pet being scanned, but the scanner isn’t compatible with that particular microchip frequency. The result? A missed opportunity to reunite a pet with its worried owner. There have been legal cases and numerous undisclosed incidents where pets couldn’t be identified due to these technological incompatibilities.

Even with the development of “universal” scanners designed to read multiple frequencies, research has shown varying levels of effectiveness. Some scanners struggle to consistently detect all types of microchips, leading to potential misses in identifying lost pets.

3. Fragmented databases and registries

The fact that there are multiple independent registries and databases can cause headaches. When a pet is found, it may not always be clear which database holds their information. Organizations like the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have made strides to create centralized databases with the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool, but there are still challenges with streamlining the search process across all existing platforms.

4. Lack of education of pet owners

When a pet owner gets their pet microchipped, they drop off the pet at the vet, provide contact details, and pick up the pet. They’re told the microchip process is complete and information is sent to the registry, without knowing the manufacturer brand or registry name. 

Manufacturers never communicate with the pet owner to make sure their information is correct or educate the customer about the microchip. Often that onus falls on vets, to educate pet owners about the microchip technology and ultimately be the salesperson. 

“I don’t know of any technology where the user is devoid of the onboarding, implementation, and usage of the technology. at the end of the day after a pet gets implanted with a microchip, there’s no incentive for the registry to interact with the owner.”

5. Outdated and incomplete data

A microchip is only as good as the information linked to it. Unfortunately, many pet owners forget to update their contact details when they move or change phone numbers. Even more concerning, studies suggest that only about half of all implanted microchips are properly registered in the first place.

Initiatives like National Check the Chip Day aim to remind pet owners of the importance of keeping their information current, but there’s still work to be done in this area.

Microchipping has a bright future

Companies and non-profit organizations are working on solutions to address the current challenges and expand the microchip technology’s capabilities. The microchip technology works perfectly and has a very low failure rate, says Olivia. When pet owners understand what microchips do, they often have a lightbulb moment. 

Expanding scanner accessibility

Imagine a world where anyone could easily scan a found pet’s microchip using a smartphone app. This level of accessibility could dramatically speed up the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners. The main hurdles are technical, but nothing that can’t be solved. Companies like PetScan are developing smartphone microchip scanners that could provide accessibility in everyone’s pocket.

Simplifying the process of registering and making updates 

User-friendly platforms that make it easy for pet owners to update their information are in development. Services like Check the Chip are paving the way for more accessible and streamlined data management. They’re putting kiosks in pet stores nationwide to give pet owners easier access to updating their information, so the information linked to each microchip stays accurate and up-to-date.

Thinking beyond lost pets

One day, microchips could be a comprehensive identifier for pets. Think of it as a social security number for your furry friend. This could consolidate basic health information and records under a single, easily accessible identifier, and perhaps even payment capabilities for pet-related services.

Imagine if your pet’s microchip could streamline services across veterinary care, insurance, and even retail. This integration could lead to more personalized care and targeted services based on your pet’s specific needs and history.

“We’re tapping into dormant devices that can do so much. The future of microchips is building platforms from the microchip number itself. For instance, imagine your dog walker could scan the dog’s microchip to say your pet’s been picked up and scanned again to confirm he’s back home,” says Olivia. 

Pet microchipping has come a long way since its inception, and it continues to evolve. That tiny hidden chip holds more than just a number—it holds the key to bringing lost pets home. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to imagine how this small but mighty technology will continue to evolve, offering even more ways to care for and protect our companions.