In a significant move to bolster animal welfare measures and combat illicit breeding and smuggling activities, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a comprehensive digital pet identification system. The initiative, unveiled by Animal Welfare Department Director Chiang Wen-chuan during a press conference yesterday, marks a pivotal step towards ensuring the well-being of domestic animals across the nation.
According to Director Chiang, the newly introduced digital identification (ID) cards surpass their predecessors by encompassing a broader array of information, including a photograph of the pet, date of birth, owner’s name, and details regarding sterilization and vaccination status. This upgraded system aims to provide pet owners with a more comprehensive platform to manage and update their pets‘ information efficiently.
Director Chiang emphasized the convenience and necessity of transitioning to the online system, citing the limitations of the previous paper-based documentation. With the Pet Registration Information System now accessible to pet owners, they can seamlessly access and modify their pets’ records, a departure from the previous requirement of in-person updates at registration agencies.
The implementation of the digital pet ID system is poised to serve as a potent tool in curbing illegal breeding and smuggling activities, as Director Chiang outlined. By empowering prospective pet owners with crucial insights into the background of their potential pets, such as lineage and breeding history, the system aims to foster informed decision-making while deterring unscrupulous practices within the industry.
Director Chiang further highlighted the proactive role that pet owners can play in safeguarding animal welfare, urging them to report any suspicious activities or discrepancies in breeder information. While the current mandate under the Animal Protection Act pertains solely to dogs, Director Chiang hinted at the likelihood of extending registration requirements to include cats in the future.
Acting Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih underscored the broader implications of digital pet IDs in facilitating traceability and oversight within breeding facilities. In addition to the introduction of digital IDs, Minister Chen hinted at forthcoming policies aimed at incentivizing pet registration, such as offering discounts on vaccines post-registration, in a concerted effort to encourage compliance and promote responsible pet ownership.
