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(Motherland) - Japan has decided to implant chips in pets to create 'pet ID cards'. The 1cm chip can store the pet's date of birth, vaccination records, owner's information, and more.
Japan is renowned for its pet culture. According to statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as of April 2021, Japan had approximately 14.93 million children. Additionally, the Japan Pet Food Association reported that the country had over 16 million pet cats and dogs in 2021, surpassing the number of children. While birth rates in developed countries are declining annually, figures like these reflect the Japanese people's love for pets.
However, with the large number of pets comes a relatively high abandonment rate in the country. Japan often experiences trends where a particular type of pet suddenly becomes popular for a short period due to promotion through movies, music, games, etc., but the reality of caring for them is not as easy as it seems.
In 1999, France mandated that either a chip or tattoo be implanted in dogs over 4 months old for identification purposes.
Pet ownership requires significant physical effort, time, medical care, and special dietary considerations, making the cost of pet ownership considerable. Consequently, the likelihood of pet abandonment in Japan is also extremely high.
Why did Japan decide to use 'pet ID cards'?
Facing exorbitant costs of pet care, many opt to abandon them. According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of the Environment in 2020, around 72,000 pet dogs and cats were lost or abandoned, but this number only represents those accounted for at animal rescue stations. Additionally, there are still approximately 24,000 stray dogs and cats wandering without owners.
To address this situation and mitigate environmental damage caused by stray animals, Japan strengthened the 'Animal Protection Law' in June 2020. The maximum penalty for unjustified animal killings was increased to 2-5 years imprisonment, accompanied by fines ranging from 2 to 5 million yen. When instances of animal abuse are discovered, owners face a 1 million yen fine and up to one year in prison, depending on the case. Despite corresponding penalties, the number of cases of abandoned and abused pets in Japan remains uncontrolled.
To reduce abandonment and prevent pets from getting lost, Japan mandates that starting June 1, 2022, pet-related industries must implant microchips into dogs and cats when selling pets, with relevant information updated post-sale.
Registration and information updates will occur within a few days, including birth date, breed, vaccination records, and pet owner information.
When pets are lost and found by rescue centers, their information can be retrieved by scanning the chip data. Supporters believe microchips can prevent pets from getting lost and facilitate their return to owners if lost, as well as effectively deter abandonment. However, opponents argue that implanting microchips into pets is overly cruel and may cause certain harm to their pets.
In reality, implanting chips into pets has minimal impact on their health. The process is simple, similar to getting your pet vaccinated. It can be done with a syringe, and the chip's surface is coated with a biocompatible layer to prevent infection or rejection. The lifespan of the chip is long, typically 18 to 20 years, and for most pets, one chip lasts a lifetime. In 1999, France mandated that either a chip or tattoo be implanted in dogs over 4 months old for identification purposes.
Furthermore, implanting chips into pets' bodies is not uncommon worldwide, including in Vietnam. Imported dogs or cats often have chips or new ear tattoos with unique identification numbers, similar to citizen ID numbers. Additionally, show dogs, after successful recognition, are also chipped with identification codes matching those on their pedigree certificates. Even from this certificate, one can trace information about the dog's parents and lineage.
References: Zhihu; Reuters
