Pet ID tagging made easier and more animal-friendly

Easy to insert, easy to trace, for life
To make the electronic tagging process even simpler and more animal-friendly, Smartrac has introduced Intrace Cannula, the first member of the new Intrace product family. This animal ID tagging solution is an enhanced transponder implanting system for the easy and efficient RFID tagging of most animal species including household pets, cattle, sheep, horses, fish, birds or reptiles.

The injection of a microchip by the optimized Intrace cannula applicator causes the pet much less stress than the application of a barcode or numerical tattoo. Moreover, an injected tag cannot be easily removed or lost, so they are tamper-proof in the case of attempted theft of the animal.

The field-proven reliability of passive tags has seen their widespread adoption in many countries. They offer lifetime durability, require no batteries, and give off no active radiation, since they take their power from the hand-held reader. The unique ID number of each tag also offers a wide range of future possibilities, since the tag can become part of the Internet of Things (IoT), which in turn enables cloud-based applications. 

Electronically tagged animals can be registered on several databases for extra security. This allows different organizations to check the microchip and find the animal’s owner of record. Household pets, in particular, are often found wandering, and the presence of a microchip makes it much more likely that the pet will be returned to its owner, rather than taken to a refuge or animal pen.

ID tagging just got easier for both veterinarians and animals
Intrace Cannula contains three components in a single blister package: a cannula; a Smartrac Glass Tag pre-installed in the cannula; and six barcoded stickers for registration, recording veterinarian treatment or for use by the animal’s owner. The package is programmed with Smartrac’s specific ICAR code, or optionally can carry a manufacturer / country code provided by the customer.

The thin, stainless-steel cannula features a facet cut that ensures fast and easy injection. The cannula package comes with a luer lock connector, a mandrin and a protective cap at the needle tip. The mandrin is a slim, plastic stick inside the cannula for single implanting use to avoid the transmission of infection. The stick, together with a tiny silicon dot inside the needle tip, prevents accidental dropout of the transponder at either end of the cannula.

Intrace Cannula is ethylene oxide gas-sterilized and germ-free for a minimum duration of five years after production. This reduces the likelihood of inflammation following insertion. In addition, the ultra-thin glass tag means that a smaller syringe can be used for tagging, further reducing stress to the animal.

Different sizes, same high quality
The system complies with international ISO standards 11784/11785 and is available globally with three different sizes of ICAR-certified glass tags (Ø 1.41 x 8.3 mm; Ø 1.41 x 10.0 mm; Ø 2.12 x 12.0 mm). The transponder tags are made from biocompatible glass and manufactured in Germany to exacting standards.

Optionally, transponders can be delivered with a parylene coating – a feature that stabilizes the tag’s position under the animal’s skin. 

End users benefit from an innovative approach to animal ID tagging
Complementing Smartrac‘s comprehensive Animal ID portfolio, Intrace Cannula offers distinct end-user benefits. The new system features fast, secure implanting of the company’s market-leading glass tags without stressing the animal unnecessarily.

It offers a cost-efficient way to provide countless animals with electronic identities via the Internet of Things, enabling innovative solutions in the fast-growing markets for pet applications, as well as livestock management or laboratory environments. The data on the tags is handled securely, and only available to the animal’s owner or authorized third parties.

The Intrace Cannula package is available in personalized designs on request. Labels offer space for customized information, e.g. logo, website address, or other data.