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Banfield Again Notifies Pet Microchip Customers of Concerns

Distribution Source : PRNewswire

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Banfield, The Pet Hospital(R) this week is again sending letters to its clients who purchased microchips for their Pets at any of its hospitals. The letter once more informs clients of the potential problems with these microchips not being read at many shelters.

Earlier this year, Banfield began selling 134.2 kHz microchips using technology endorsed by the International Standards Organization (ISO). Most animal shelters, including many shelters that have received a donated ISO- compatible scanner, use scanners that read only 125 kHz microchips. In fact, there are several different chips in the market and the current scanners often miss even the chips they are designed to read. Banfield stopped implanting microchips in Pets in May 2004 and plans to resume its microchip program only after key issues are resolved to its satisfaction.

"As veterinarians, we feel very strongly about making sure all of our clients have the most up-to-date information regarding their Pet's microchip and we will continue to do whatever we can to help reunite lost Pets with their families, including pushing for needed improvements in the U.S. microchip system," said Dr. Scott Campbell, a veterinarian who is chairman and CEO of Banfield, The Pet Hospital. "At this time, the microchip system doesn't work and it's a sad fact that many Pets with any type of chip are euthanized when they are lost We believe that all scanners should read all microchips, that the microchips themselves must work better, and that microchips should not be encrypted. It is just as important for the companies maintaining databases of chip registrations to make sure it's easy and affordable for Pet owners to keep their Pet's microchip registrations current, and that microchips be priced more affordably so more families can get microchips for their Pets."

Banfield continues to support the ISO microchip technology because it believes ISO is better and less expensive than the older encrypted 125 kHz technology. "Right now, Avid Identification Systems, Inc.(R) lawsuits are getting in the way of the best interests of lost Pets," said Dr. Campbell. "Avid should sell their truly universal scanners and the international standard chip in the U.S. market like they do in other countries." The scanners Avid sells in the U.S. do not detect 134.2 kHz chips.

For the benefit of its patients, Banfield continues to actively encourage microchip manufacturers to distribute more scanners in the United States that can read the ISO microchip technology, which has already been accepted in most of the rest of the world and for wildlife in the U.S.

Unfortunately, Avid remains at odds with the nonprofit animal welfare organizations in the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, which includes organizations like the Human Society of United States and American Veterinary Medical Association. Through its continuing lawsuits, Avid is trying to block the introduction of the ISO-endorsed 134.2 kHz microchip in the United States in favor of its own proprietary and encrypted version.

A simple solution is at hand. Avid sells a truly universal scanner in other countries, including Canada, but refuses to do so in the United States. Last July, The Iams Co. generously offered to purchase and donate 30,000 truly universal scanners -- which will read both the older 125 kHz and the new ISO- compliant 134.2 kHz microchips to shelters, animal control agencies and veterinary clinics throughout the United States. Unfortunately, Iams has been unable to purchase these scanners. Avid refuses to sell truly universal scanners to Iams or anyone else for distribution in the United States. Other manufacturers reportedly have declined or have been unable to sell truly universal scanners to Iams because Avid refuses to permit them to read its encrypted microchips, and because of Avid's current lawsuits and its continuing threat of legal action.

"Right now, greed is getting in the way of what is best for lost Pets," Campbell said. "I hope other veterinarians and Pet parents join me in calling on the microchip industry to work together in the best interest of Pets."

For more information about the current state of microchips in the United States visit the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, online at http://www.readallchips.com/.

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955, Banfield has provided fifty years of quality care. With more than 1000 veterinarians and more than 400 Banfield hospitals across the U.S., the U.K. and Mexico, Banfield helps extend the lives of more than 3.5 million Pets each year.

Banfield's veterinarians are committed to giving Pets the same quality of care their human family members receive. Our hospitals offer a full-range of comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical services, computerized medical records, Pet preventive care plans and extended operating hours. Banfield is the only veterinary practice in the world with an extensive quality assurance program.

Dana Peterson

503-345-5597
Banfield, The Pet Hospital

CONTACT: Dana Peterson of Banfield, +1-503-345-5597

Web site: http://www.readallchips.com/

Web site: http://www.banfield.net/

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