Whiteside County Health Department--Animal Control
Microchip
Whiteside County Animal Control began microchipping all animals claimed by owners
pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act as of Dec. 15, 2003. Animal Control has purchased
AVID (American Veterinarians Identification Device) Microchip Syringes. Certificates, pamphlets
and pre-numbered tags are supplied by the company.

Each syringe is pre-assembled with a chip. The chips are 125 kilohertz and are able to be read
with any scanner of the same kilohertz. Animal Control has 4 scanners. Each scanner is kept in
its designated locations at all times.

It is the responsibility of the Animal Control employee to scan each animal that they,
themselves, bring into the Pound. All microchip numbers are entered into the Animal Control
Database.

When any dog or cat is claimed by its’ owner from the Animal Control Facility, the animal will
be microchipped, if not already done, at the owner’s expense. The cost is $20 (see current Fee
Schedule). The owner or their representative must schedule an appointment between the
hours of 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. No appointments will be scheduled before 12 p.m. or after 3:30
p.m. If possible, two (2) Animal Control employees shall be available to perform the
microchipping procedure. The chip is injected at the base of the neck (between the shoulder
blades) just under the skin. After the procedure is complete, the animal is scanned again to
ensure the chip is readable.

No animal shall be released back to its owner before the microchip is in place. It shall be
prohibited for any Animal Control employee to attempt to microchip any animal alone or
outside normal business hours. Microchipping is not be done off site.
Family pets can be micro-chipped at the Pound; just call and schedule an appointment. The
cost is $20 and payable at the time of micro-chipping.