Sweet Stelarc on a bike
January 27, 2012 6:55 AM

How easily can I be fitted with a pet ID tag in the UK?

Potentially, I could use an RFID system to replace the key on my bike. Which means that I would use an RFID transponder, such as those used in pet ID tags, to activate it.
So, potentially, I could be keyed to the bike.

What's the practicalities of getting a pet tag fitted, and probably later removed, in the UK? Probably not the kind of thing done under the NHS...
posted by BadMiker to Technology (8 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
I think the subcutaneous pet tags use a different system (and different frequency) to the ones used in most consumer systems. You can get animal tags that are standard RFID devices but they're for clipping onto ears, probably not what you want.
posted by BinaryApe at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2012


Step 1: Find a vet
Step 2: Find some alcohol
Step 3: ???*
Step 4: Profit!

* This is a normal consequence of drinking with vets, it is not necessary to be alarmed. It can usually be assumed that more alcohol was involved there somewhere.

As regards practicalities, it would presumably be most convenient to have this somewhere like your hand or lower arm. While I don't know how big the chip is, I know how big a contraceptive implant is under the skin, and I wouldn't want something like that in my hand or forearm, where there are many fiddly and complicated bits that could potentially be buggered up by something pressing against them. I am also told that it feels weird and unpleasant every time something presses on it, which I expect would happen a lot more to something as exposed as your hand.
posted by Lebannen at 7:38 AM on January 27, 2012


I have some experience with mixing alcohol & vets. Surprisingly volatile reaction I seem to remember...

This is the kind of thing which I'm looking at:
http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Tracking-Microchip-Implant-Administration-Veterinarian/dp/B0002YFROI

Judging from available images, the fleshy web between thumb and forefinger is the best place. I know various piercers, and doctors, so getting it administered is not a problem. Getting it out again would be more of a concern but, really, I've causes worse incisions to myself with a screwdriver.

What's this 'profit' though?
posted by BadMiker at 7:54 AM on January 27, 2012


I suspect if you emailed Kevin Warwick, professor of cybernetics at Reading University, he'd tell you. He's certainly had an RFID implant.
posted by ambrosen at 9:40 AM on January 27, 2012


Check in with some Alzheimer's research groups. There is a movement to provide these subcutaneous tracking devices for people who are developing symptoms in the event they become disoriented and wander away.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 9:43 AM on January 27, 2012


In the US, you don't have to be a veterinarian to inject a chip. (I don't know how it works in the UK.) So a call to some animal shelters might lead you to someone who wouldn't mind doing this for you.

I've seen the syringe used, and in my opinion, it didn't look much bigger than the large needle used when you donate blood. So it may not even hurt!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:32 PM on January 27, 2012


I know that in dogs the chips migrate. I am not sure humans are the same but consider trying to find something the size of a grain of rice SOMEWHERE in your body.
posted by Saminal at 3:54 PM on January 27, 2012


I'm not necessarily advocating doing it yourself, but anyone who has any experience injecting vaccinations, etc, should be able to do this. I was surprised how quick my vet ID'd my dog.

Oh and the "profit" is from the South Park episode about Underpants Gnomes.
posted by radioamy at 4:08 PM on January 27, 2012


« Older Like Aliens, but out of my head   |   I don't know how to react to compliments. So how... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.