It will be here before you know it – June is National Microchipping Month which means animal support groups are raising awareness to highlight the benefits of RFID pet identification for dogs, cats and other companion animals.

The microchipping process is relatively straight forward. It involves inserting a small RFID transponder encased in a BIO glass tag beneath the animal’s skin. The chip is programmed following ISO standard with a unique pet ID number. “Microchipping is quick, safe and a relatively painless solution,” said Jean-Miguel, global director for HID Global’s Animal ID business.

HID Global produces these glass tags on fully automated equipment, using direct-bond technology, which reduces trauma to both wire and chip. All HID Global pet ID tags are certified ISO compliant with 11784 and 11785 global standards, and are readable by any of the scanners routinely used in the pet industry. The tag that can be read from a distance, which also minimizes stress on the animal, and helps reduce risk to staff.

The microchip can be read with any scanner, and follow the link of the animal ID numbers to online pet databases to trace a lost or stolen animal and return it to its rightful owner. Official organization can also use the RFID microchip and add information to the database such as medical history, vaccination schedules, updated owner addresses and more.

Here in the U.S. microchipping is still voluntary, where only 10% of pets are identified with RFID. A nationwide pet database does not yet exist. However, individual organizations have established state-wide databases to increase popularity and acceptance of microchipping.

Around the world, Switzerland now requires it for all dogs as well as horses and pet databases help national and local governments monitor pet populations, and hold all the necessary information to easily contact the pet owner if necessary. In the U.K., some dog groomers, animal shelters and local government entities have begun offering the microchipping service.