Why Microchip?
Painless and simple procedure.
All pets must be microchipped to get a pasport.
Combined with a reunification service, the Microchip implant can help return your lost pet to you.
Most equine organisations require registered horses to be microchipped.
Provides permanent and undeniable proof of identity / ownership.
Bio-Thermal chips are being used to monitor body temperature for breeding purposes in the equine and bovine industries.
Under current legislation, all guard dogs must be microchipped.
Under current Control of Horses Legislation, horses kept in an urban enviornment must be microchipped.
ELF Group Holdings - Home of Electronic Animal ID
Microchips . Readers . Scanners . Implanters . Canulas . Ear Tags .
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Why ELF?
We are Irelands longest established Animal RFID Microchip supplier and have been in operation for 17 years. As market leader in Ireland we supply many of the Animal Societies and were the first supplier authorised under the Control of Horses Legislation. Our customer list spans many Veteranarian Practices, Equine organisations, Dog Breed Societies, County Councils and SPA's. Our experience in Electronic Animal ID industry is unequalled and we consistently offer impartial honest advice to our customers. Since its inception we have supported the ISO RFID standards completely. We stand over our Microchip products and consistently offer a more economical purchase.
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What if my animal / pet is lost?
There are a number of reunification and lost pet services offered in Ireland. These organisations record your animals microchip number on a database. If your animal is picked up by a dog pound or animal welfare society the Microchip number can be used to trace you, and you can collect your pet.
ELF recommends PetTrace, operated by the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, however the choice is yours. Unlike all other Microchip suppliers, ELF does not force you to purchase registration at the same time you buy your Microchips.
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What about the National Database?
There are a number of organisations offering registration services. This is not to be confused with the National Microchip Register. Ireland does not yet have a National Microchip Register as defined in the relevant ISO RFID standards. Untill then anyone offering Microchips using the Irish Country Code is contravening the standards. The National Database is not a reunification service, it is a data depository where all microchips (intended for animal ID use)for sale in the country must first be proven to be unique, prior to being offered for sale. ELF ensures uniqueness by only currently supplying Microchips with a manufacturers code. Once a National Microchip Database is in operation, ELF are immediately able to supply transponders with the Irish identifier.
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What is the difference between the manufacturer and country codes and which is preferred?
The first three digits of the identification number stored in a microchip that meets ISO 11784/5 will be either a manufactures code or a country code.
Country Code
Microchips containing a number which starts with a country code can only be used in countries with a single central database which controls the issue of identification numbers. Each manufacturer selling product in such a country will ask the central database for a series of identification numbers. The manufacturer will then make microchips with these numbers each of which will start with the country code. These transponders will only be sold in the country represented by the three-digit code.
It is the responsibility of the central registry to be sure that no duplicate numbers are issued. A list of the codes for each country is available from ELF Group. Ireland does not yet operate a Central Registry. Pet Re-unification Databases do not fulfill the requirements of a central registry as defined by ISO.
Manufacturers Code
In a country where there is no single central authority controlling the uniqueness of the code in each microchip, a manufacturer code is used. Each manufacturer applies to the International Committee on Animal Recording (ICAR) for a three-digit manufacturer code, which will start with 9. It is then the responsibility of each manufacturer to be sure that the number in each of the transponders that he makes is unique.
ELF Group currently only supply microchips with a manufacturers code, since no National Registry exists.
Technical details can be found in the ISO standards 11784 and 11785.
ICAR rules require that manufacturers abide by a code of conduct which includes the provisions outlined above. Manufacturers who do not abide by the code risk having their allocated manufacturer code withdrawn
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How can I tell if the microchip being used is an ISO microchip or not?
ISO 11784 and 11785 clearly define the bit content and communication protocol of microchips that adhere to these ISO standards. As such, a true ISO microchip has a 64 bit content resulting in a 15 digit numeric ID code of which the first 3 digits is the manufacturer’s code, that operates using FDX-B technology at a frequency of 134.2 kHz.
For example, the HomeAgain (Digital Angel) microchip in the USA is comprised of 48 bits resulting in a 10-alphanumeric ID number that does not contain Digital Angel's manufacturer's code and operates using FDX-A technology at a frequency of 125 kHz. This is therefore not an ISO Microchip. This also applies to the AVID Eurochip. The AVID Friendchip also operates at 125 kHz and provides a 10 alphanumeric ID number but this number is encrypted, and hence requires a specially designed reader to be able to read. It is therefore also not a microchip that adheres to the ISO Standards 11784 or 11785.
If you are in any doubt, contact ELF Group and we will be more than happy to give you impartial advice.
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Could my animal be allergic to the microchip transponder?
The microchips we supply are inert, smooth and biocompatible. There is virtually no chance of the animals body developing an allergic reaction or trying to reject the microchip after being properly injected. The Reader or Scanner also has no effect on the animal.
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Can the microchip migrate inside the animals body after implantation?
When properly implanted, a layer of connective tissue forms around the microchip transponder which prevents movement of the chip. With all chips supplied by ELF once instructions are followed correctly, the chip will not migrate . Procedures and injection sites will vary depending upon the animal. We can advise you, or alternatively talk to you Veterinary Surgeon.
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Where is the microchip injection site for cats and dogs?
Both cats and dogs are injected between the shoulder blades with a deep subcutaneous (under the skin) implant of the chip.
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How early can puppies and kittens be permanently identified with a microchip?
Most Irish dog breeders inject the chip between the ages of five and eight weeks. The procedure can also be done at any time after that. The same rules apply for Cats.
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In the show ring, can the microchip be felt by the judge’s hands?
No. When the microchip is properly implanted deeply under the skin, no one will be able to locate the chip by touch, even in the smallest dog and cat breeds. In Horses it is implanted in the muscle, where detection by hand is impossible.
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I have toy breeds. Can I still permanently identify them with a microchip?
Yes. We have many toy breed customers in Ireland who chip their puppies/kittens as early as six weeks. The same sized microchip and needle are used in animals even smaller than yours, including mice, birds, and even salmon and eel.
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Where is the microchip placed in a horse?
The injection site for horses is the left side of the neck, half the distance between the poll and withers, and approximately one inch below the midline of the mane, into the nuchal ligament. Anyone attending SJAI measuring events over the last decade will be familiar with the procedure. The SJAI was the first equine organisation in Ireland to implement a microchipping programme with our help.
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At what age can a horse be chipped?
Any age.
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Does the procedure hurt the horse? How will he behave?
No. As with any animal, the horse will maintain his normal getting-an-injection pattern when he receives the chip. If you are familiar with the horse’s response to injections, you can expect him to act accordingly. The canula size may seem large at first, but look at its design, note the long bevel. All canulas supplied by ELF are machined to be as unintrusive as possible and you will be surprised at how easy the needle is inserted.
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Where is the implant site for birds?
Microchips for birds are injected in the muscle. The standard injection site is into the breast muscle. Restraint is necessary, of course. If you are a breeder and have an assistant experienced in proper avian restraint, you can do this injection yourself. Or, if you prefer, your avian veterinarian can do the procedure for you.
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At what age can birds be identified with a microchip?
Birds can be injected at any age, but you may want to use your judgement or consult your avian veterinarian depending upon what type/size birds you have. As with all Microchipping, it is good practice to read the chip in the implanter both prior to and after implantation. Check that the number displayed on the reader / scanner corresponds to the bar coded stickers included in the blister pack.
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Goats? Sheep? Pigs? Rabbits? Deer? Ferrets? Cattle?
Yes, goats, sheep pigs, etc. can and are being chipped for breeding and food traceability purposes. The implant sites vary depending upon the animal, but most have standard injection sites that we can provide to you.
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Can reptiles and amphibians be identified with a microchip?
Yes. Microchips are the perfect method of identification for snakes, lizards and even alligators, turtles and toads. Microhips are used for pets, breeding facilities, laboratories, and for research studies on endangered reptiles. Think "ESB Salmon and Eel conservation programme in Ireland"...
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How does the chip work?
The microchip is a sophisticated computer chip which is pre-programmed with a unique identification number. Chips come in a variety of numbering sequences, however the ISO has developed a standard. The chip is encapsulated within a biocompatible glass material, which means that there is virtually no chance of the body developing an allergy or trying to reject the microchip, after being properly implanted. When the chip is 'energised' by a reader, it transmits its unique code to the reader where it is displayed on a screen. Some readers can store the chip number, building up a bank of scanned chip numbers, or a direct link to PC allows immediate storage.
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How long does a microchip last?
The microchip has no power supply, battery, or moving parts. It is designed with an operating life of over 25 years and is guaranteed for the life of the animal. Once injected, the microchip is anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it. The chip requires no care. It does not pass through or out of the body. It is energised by the reader in order to transmit its unique number.
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How do readers work?
The reader sends a safe radio wave signal to the microchip. When the chip receives this signal, it sends its unique code (the microchip number) back to the reader which displayes it in a viewing screen. Readers emit audible beeps when a chip is found. Smaller readers are held close to the implant site while scanning because they have a reading range of about 3 inches. Larger, more powerful readers are also available. Read ranges vary from 6 to 20 inches depending upon specifications. Elf will happily advise customers on the best reader for their needs.
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Who is qualified to inject the microchip?
Microchips are implanted into the animal by way of standard injection. Those familiar with vaccines and regular injections will have no problem injecting the chip. Complete step-by-step instructions are available. We recommend that unless you are a trained implanter or otherwise experienced in performing like procedures, it is in the animals best interest that you seek the help of your Veterinarian. We will gladly provide you with names of our Veterinary customers in your area.
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Can the procedure hurt the animal?
Although the microchip needle (Canula) is larger than a typical vaccine needle, the general rule is that your animals will react the SAME way to this injection as they do to any other. All of the canulas supplied by ELF are machine engineered and of the highest quality. The larger size of the needle is compensated for by the elongated bevel, allowing the needle to penetrate more easily and with less discomfort.
Animals do not over react to it. Their physical performance is not impaired and there is no scarring. You are not injecting any substance that can burn or irritate; the chip is completely biocompatible and non-offensive.
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Does the animal have to be sedated for the injection?
No. Injecting the microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not required or recommended. The reader / scanner operation is likewise painless.
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What is Annex A and are microchips identified in Annex A truly ISO standard microchips?
When ISO standards 11784 and 11785 were developed, there was concern regarding protection of the installed base of microchips, often referred to as backward compatibility. ISO 11785 Annex A was developed to address this issue during the transition period between prior and ISO standard technology, and defined the need for readers to read three main existing and different technologies for a period of 2 years. Some manufacturers were not included in Annex A because they elected not to provide the encryption code with which to read their encrypted microchips. However, this 2-year period has long since passed and this was clearly defined in ISO 11785, Section 2 (Conformance), wherein it states "...transponders meeting the requirements of Annex A may be applied for a transition period of 2 years from the date of the first edition of this international standard." The date of the first edition was 1996, and as this time frame was completed in 1998, Annex A is no longer applicable, hence, Annex A microchips are not true ISO standard microchips.
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