Before the law requiring distributors to wear microchips so that their owners can be identified when dogs and cats are abandoned will come into effect in June next year, the Ministry of the Environment will provide details and procedures for registering microchips. We have summarized the outline of how to proceed.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the number of dogs and cats taken over by local governments due to lost children or abandonment of breeding has risen to more than 85,000 in the first year of Reiwa, and it is an issue to deal with.
Under these circumstances, the revised Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, which requires dogs and cats to wear microchips, will come into effect in June next year so that owners can immediately understand. I gave an overview to the council made by experts.
According to this, breeding breeders, pet shops, and other vendors will be equipped with microchips on dogs and cats for sale, and the names and genders, breeds, and hair colors of dogs and cats, as well as the trader's name, will be given to the country. You are required to register in the database of.
Also, when purchasing a dog or cat, the owner is also required to register the name, address, phone number, etc. within 30 days.
Those who already own it, those who take over it, and protection groups are obliged to make efforts to wear it.
At the meeting, there were voices of anxiety about the health effects on animals, and it was pointed out that it would be complicated to change the registration every time the owner's contact information changes.
The Ministry of the Environment will continue to consider these points, listen to the opinions of the general public, make a formal decision, and make it known to traders and owners toward the mandatory requirement in June next year.
"Identification number" display on the microchip
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the microchip is a cylindrical electronic device with a diameter of 2 mm and a length of about 1 cm, which is worn by veterinarians from the neck to the shoulder blades of dogs and cats using a syringe.
A unique 15-digit identification number is assigned to the microchip, and the identification number is displayed when a dedicated reader is held over the body of a dog or cat.
The identification number is registered in the national database together with information such as the owner's name and address, and the owner can be traced from the number.
Since it does not have a GPS function, it is not possible to know where you are.
In Japan, after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, many dogs and cats got lost, and discussions on the introduction began, and a law was enacted to partially revise the Animal Welfare and Management Law. bottom.
The government says that by installing a microchip, it will be easier to find the owner if you get lost or if you are separated due to a disaster, and you can expect to prevent easy abandonment.
The introduction of microchips has been widespread even before the enforcement of this law, and the Japan Veterinary Medical Association and animal groups are currently creating databases.
The database of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, which has the most users, contains information on about 2.73 million dogs and cats equipped with microchips.
On the other hand, according to a questionnaire conducted by SBI Ikiiki Small-amount Short-term Insurance, an insurance company that handles pet insurance, for 200 people who keep dogs and cats, 69.5% of the total said that it was mandatory to wear a microchip. While 30.5% answered "yes" or "somewhat agree", 30.5% answered "no" or "somewhat disagree" because of "poor" or "worried about the condition of the pet after wearing it". "And so on.
While there are some dissenting opinions, it is also an issue that we will be able to raise awareness and gain understanding toward making it mandatory in June next year.