India uses RFID to manage all dogs

In the city of Ahmedabad, India, modern technology is being used to improve the efficiency of stray and pet dog management in the city. The city of Ahmedabad is home to an estimated 200,000 dogs (both free roaming strays and pet dogs in human homes). In order to manage these dogs more efficiently and ensure their health while maintaining public safety, the Municipal Corporation (AMC) is considering adopting a new proposal.

The proposal, which was submitted to the AMC Standing Committee by the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), centres on expanding the city's animal registration programme to include dogs. Similar to the existing cattle registration, the new dog registration programme will identify and track dogs with the help of advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip and visual ear tagging technology.

The injected RFID microchips are the size of a grain of rice and can be implanted in the dog's subcutaneous tissue. Each microchip stores a unique 15-digit identification number that can be read by a special RFID scanner. When the dog is scanned, the microchip transmits its ID number, which is linked to a registration database containing details of the dog and its owner. As the microchip does not require battery power, it remains functional for the life of the dog and is only activated when scanned by an electromagnetic field.

In addition to RFID microchips, the proposal introduces visual ear tags as another method of identification. These ear tags are attached to the dog's ear and have a visual ID number printed on them. These tags can also be colour coded to indicate the dog's vaccination or neutering status, as well as the area and year of the tag. While ear tags are easier to see and identify without scanning equipment, they are also more susceptible to damage or loss.

If the AMC's proposal is approved, the new identification system will help identify and track stray and pet dogs more effectively across the city. This will bring a number of benefits to animal management and welfare, including making it easier to identify stray dogs, ensuring they are up to date on vaccinations and tracking sterilisation, as well as helping authorities to monitor dog-related health problems. In addition, the initiative will give pet owners greater peace of mind as they can locate lost pets more easily through the microchip.