RFID microchip tags are used for tracking and identification purposes, with a range of uses including inventory tracking, toll booth passes, and medical implants for animals. However, the technology is not always consistent, which can be problematic for identifying lost or stolen pets.
The term “RFID microchip tag” can generally refer to any type of radio frequency identification device (RFID), as all are based on a microchip, or specifically an implantable RFID microchip tag. There is a wide range of uses for such devices, and new uses are constantly being developed by manufacturers looking to expand their market, as well as by people who have been thinking of new applications for RFID technology. Many hardware or electronics stores sell microchips with RFID tags and associated readers, and many products are packaged with such microchips embedded.
RFID involves an integrated circuit, also known as a microchip, connected to an antenna. The circuit can store a limited amount of data and process signals sent to and from the antenna. Depending on the design, an RFID device can be passive, responding only when activated by another device, or it can be active, consistently transmitting to anything that can pick up the signal. RFID is used to tag things with unique identities.
An RFID-tagged microchip can be used for things like tracking store inventory, tracking equipment in a large, busy facility, creating automatic payment passes for people to go through toll booths, and so on. A small amount of data that may or may not be secure is held on the RFID tag microchip and accessed by something that can read it, such as a wand used to scan inventory devices or a toll gate gate.
In the case of an implantable RFID tag microchip, the device is intended to be used as a medical implant. The most widespread use of RFID implants is in animals, where the implants are used to track herds, tag pets so they can be retrieved if lost or stolen, and for the purpose of uniquely identifying animals by laboratory. In this case, the RFID tag microchip is encased in non-reactive material and packaged to be small enough to be inserted with an injection.
One problem with the RFID-tagged microchip technology used in animals is that it is not consistent. This is an especially serious problem with pets, as a pet microchipped with one technology scanned with another technology may appear unchipped on the scanner display. As a result, the pet may not be salvageable unless it also has other identification or its owners have been diligent in getting notification with a clear description to local animal control and vets.
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