As of October 1st, 2004, for an eight-year transitional period, animals are regarded as identified only if they bear either a clearly readable tattoo or an electronic identification system–an RFID transponder. After this transitional period, only the electronic ID system will be valid (UK, Ireland and Malta already require the transponder). The microchip number must also be reported in the pet passport, a booklet bearing records of vaccinations, tick treatments, clinical examinations and other data related to the animal.

Sokymat, the world’s leading supplier of RFID transponders, is supplying the electronic ID tags needed for the EU mandate. Sokymat Food & Animal specializes in the development and production of a wide range of Full Duplex (FDX) RFID transponders especially designed for individual animal identification (cats, dogs, birds, cattle,Seven fish!). The small Glass Tag transponders provided by Sokymat are easily and painlessly implanted under the skin of the animal. Containing a unique 10-character alphanumeric code, Sokymat’s RFID transponders for animal identification are encased in a glass capsule about the size of a grain of rice. Once tagged and registered, pets are immediately and accurately identifiable. All Sokymat Glass Tags comply with ISO standards 11784 and 11785.

After insertion of the microchip, the pet will be vaccinated against rabies and a passport will be sent directly to the veterinarian, who can then enter the details of the rabies vaccination and blood-test results, along with details of the microchip number, the date of its insertion and its location in the animal. The transponder will allow for easy identification of the pet and will authenticate its corresponding official pet passport papers containing medical and vaccination history. Animals with pet passports will avoid the mandatory 6-month quarantine upon crossing state borders.

RFID tagging is considered the most advanced and permanent form of animal identification available today.