Mandatory microchipping Published April 14, 2008 By Senior Airman Cassandra Jones 5 BW Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A new policy has been issued that affects all on-base families who own pets. Effective immediately, all pets housed on base must receive an identification microchip. The microchip is a small, sterile chip the size of a grain of rice that is inserted into the skin between the animal's shoulder blades and acts as a permanent source of identification. Airmen and their families will have 30 days after either moving into base housing or obtaining a pet to have the microchip implanted. "This greatly helps security forces and the owners," said Army Sgt. Michael Hudson, a veterinary technician and the NCOIC of veterinary services. "As of right now, if there is a pet found on base without tags, security forces has to take it downtown to the humane society which uses both time and monetary resources." However, if that pet had a microchip, it would be easily returned to its owner. Additionally, most countries now require pets to have the microchips, Sergeant Hudson added. Microchips are available on base for $15 and at the humane society for $20 for one pet and $18 for two or more; this cost includes insertion and activation, which is good for the rest of the animal's life. Every year security-forces personnel take around 33 abandoned pets downtown to be euthanized and around 70 pets for boarding which ends up costing the government over $3,000. For more information on microchips and getting them inserted, call the base veterinary clinic at 723-6449.