Digital Angel Expands Animal Tracking to Fight Avian Flu

Digital Angel Corporation has developed a new and improved reader that will read and/or detect any implanted RFID chips currently used for pet identification and ownership purposes in the U.S. pet market. The new reader has the ability to not only read the 125 kHz frequency tags commonly used in the U.S., but also the 134 kHz frequency ones (ISO chips) commonly used outside the U.S. (but present in some pets in the U.S.).

This new reader was created in response to a Congressional action requesting a more universal RFID pet tag reader to accommodate veterinarians, pet clinics, and pet advocacy groups concerned that a lost pet could be unnecessarily harmed or euthanized if an implanted microchip could not be detected. Though the reader won't be able to read the ISO chips, it will detect their presence, so the necessary steps can be taken to identify that animal at that point.

"Our desire is to improve the capabilities of the microchip scanner product considerably and, at the same time, respond to valid concerns that a pet might be euthanized or lost to its family permanently if a scanner failed to detect an implanted chip," says Digital Angel CEO Kevin McGrath. "We believe this new product again demonstrates that we are the leaders in the national pet identification market and that we are agile enough to adapt to any changes or new needs in the marketplace."

Digital Angel is also working on its new Bio-Thermo(tm) (temperature-sensing) implantable RFID microchip and identity system for international poultry/bird markets. Its initial emphasis will be in Asia to help prevent outbreak of avian diseases such as bird flu. The temperature-sensing scanners will detect temperature increases in the individual birds, allowing for a swift identification and control of diseased birds. This system is also being tested for use in other livestock.

"Just as we made our identification products available to Gulf Coast communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we believe that our proprietary technology should be made available to threatened countries and researchers working to control the spread of avian flu," says McGrath. "We have had 200,000 bio-thermo chips manufactured for this and companion pet applications, and we are immediately prepared to work with research institutions and government entities on any further research necessary to control avian flu."

Digital Angel has been so successful with its products that the U.S. Congress has set aside $33.3 million for projects related to the national animal identification program - with the Senate version of the Bill urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider Digital Angel in that program. Read more about Digital Angel at www.digitalangelcorp.com.