Pet Microchip Scanners for Veterinary Clinics, Shelters and Private-Label Distributors

Who buys pet microchip scanners, and why

A microchip only helps an animal if someone scans it and gets the number into the right record. That happens in a few places, and each has its own routine.

• Veterinary clinics scan at a first visit to confirm the chip, check a new implant before the animal leaves, and look up records by chip number at reception.
• Animal shelters and rescue centers scan every stray or surrendered animal at intake, then scan again before transfer or rehoming.
• Pet-registration bodies and microchipping events scan a queue of animals and need each number to reach the registration form without typing errors.
• Breeders record the chip number of each animal before it goes to a new owner.
• Distributors supply scanners under their own brand to clinics, shelters and pet shops in their market.

We supply these scanners to organizations and distributors, as single models or as a private-label range. The choice comes down to three questions: which chips you must read, where you scan, and how the number reaches your software.

What a pet microchip scanner must read

In many countries, pet microchips follow ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. ISO 11785 sets the 134.2 kHz carrier and defines two ways for a chip to reply: FDX-B (full duplex) and HDX (half duplex). ISO 11784 defines the 64-bit code the chip carries, usually shown as 15 digits: a 3-digit country or manufacturer code followed by a 12-digit national ID. ISO 11784/11785 explained walks through the structure.

Every scanner on this page reads:

• FDX-B microchips and tags at 134.2 kHz (ISO 11784/11785)
• EMID tags at 125 kHz (EM4100 format)

They do not read HDX, FDX-A or encrypted 125 kHz chips, so they are not universal scanners. HDX is uncommon in pets, but older non-ISO chips still turn up in some countries, so a failed read does not prove an animal has no chip. FDX-B vs HDX animal tags explains why an FDX-B-only reader does not detect an HDX tag.

All the scanners are read-only. They report the chip number; they cannot program, change or copy a chip.

Handheld, desk reader or USB-C phone reader?

Start with where the animal, or the chip, is when you scan it. Range figures are for 2–12 mm glass-tube chips and depend on the chip and its orientation.

The handhelds run on a 3.7 V lithium battery, show the ID on an OLED and confirm each read with a buzzer. The A520-M is the general-purpose clinic and shelter scanner. The A530-U is the simplest, with one button and USB only. The A540-M reads furthest and adds a keypad, three read modes (key trigger, read once, continuous) and a 1D/2D imager.

The desk readers stay on the counter; to scan an implanted chip on the animal, use a handheld. The A140-U’s light ring and LEDs suit a shared clinic or shelter counter, and on both desk readers the buzzer can be set to off before shipment, on request, for quiet rooms. The full range is listed under 134.2kHz FDX-B animal ID readers. For cattle and sheep ear tags, see livestock EID readers.

Getting chip numbers into clinic and shelter software

Keyboard output. The A110-U, A140-U and A220-C appear as a USB keyboard and type the chip number wherever the cursor is: a practice-management screen, a shelter database, a registration web form or a spreadsheet. There is no driver, SDK or COM port. The desk readers list Windows 7 and 10, Linux and Android as hosts; the A220-C works with Android phones and tablets that support USB OTG.

Stored records. The handhelds keep reads in memory when no computer is near: 128 records on the A520-M and A530-U, and 6,000 on the A540-M. The A530-U uploads its records over a USB cable. The A520-M sends each read in real time or as a batch, over USB, a 2.4G receiver or Bluetooth. The A540-M uploads over USB-C as standard, with wireless HID or Bluetooth versions available.

Handheld hosts. No SDK is published for the handhelds. Tell us the host platform and the software that must receive the IDs, and the upload method and data format are confirmed in your quotation.

Number format. Registries and clinic systems usually store the full 15-digit ISO number. The A220-C types a 10-digit decimal number (4 bytes) by default, which does not match a 15-digit registry entry, so ask for a custom output format if you need the 15-digit ID. For the other models, the exact output string is confirmed against your software in your quotation. Can a phone read a pet microchip? covers phone setups in more detail.

Private label for distributors

Distributors can sell the scanners under their own brand. The options below come from each model’s specification; the combination for your order is confirmed in your quotation.

A local display language helps clinic and shelter staff in markets where English menus slow them down. How private-label projects run, from samples to branded packaging, is covered under OEM/ODM.

What to send us for a quote

1. Chips you meet: FDX-B, EMID or other types, and sample chips if you have them.
2. Where you scan: consulting room, intake desk, kennels, events or field work.
3. Your software and hosts: the program that stores the ID, the operating system, and whether you need USB, Bluetooth or phone input.
4. Number format: the full 15-digit ISO number or another string.
5. Models and quantity for each.
6. Private label: display language, logo, housing color, packaging and Bluetooth name.
7. Destination country and the markets you sell into.

To test range with your own chips first, request samples, or contact us with your setup.