Digital Angel Corporation Provides Bio-Thermo(TM) RFID Microchips to New York Equine Agency to Protect State Horse Population
Equestrian News Release
State Horse Health Program to Use Company's Proprietary Temperature-Sensing Microchips for Identification, Anti-Theft, Disease Monitoring Purposes
SOUTH ST.PAUL, Minn., April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digital Angel Corporation (AMEX:DOC) announced today that it is providing 500 of its proprietary Bio-Thermo (temperature-sensing) implantable RFID (radiofrequency identification) microchips to the New York State Horse Health Assurance Program to help launch a voluntary state program designed to monitor infectious diseases and prevent animal theft. New York is the first state to implement a comprehensive horse health program but other states are expected to launch similar programs during 2005.
Bio-Thermo is the first temperature-sensing, implantable RFID microchip to be introduced into the national equine industry. According to Kevin Owen, DVM and President of Electronic ID, Inc., more than 800,000 horses throughout the world, including 400,000 in the U.S., have been implanted with microchips for identification purposes, but the new Bio-Thermo chips also measure body temperatures as a means of monitoring the onset of disease or other adverse physiological conditions.
Digital Angel has introduced the Bio-Thermo microchip into the companion pet (cats and dogs) market in the United Kingdom and Japan, but this is the first introduction of the next generation identification chip in the equine market, said Chief Executive Officer Kevin McGrath. The Bio-Thermo microchips can be readily scanned by handheld RFID readers that will also be provided by the New York State Department of Agriculture to equine operations that become certified under the New York State Horse Health Assurance Program.
"The new Bio-Thermo technology adds a wellness indicator to the identification value of a secure, implanted microchip," McGrath said. "This technology has been very well received in the companion pet market around the world and we believe it has a host of other applications, including the equine and livestock industries. The New York State Horse Health Assurance Program is to be commended for its pro-active approach to the well-being of horses in the state."
Dr. Owen, the distributor for the equine industry for Digital Angel in the U.S., added that horses are very valuable animals and predicted that horse owners and vets would welcome the added protection the Bio-Thermo chip offers.
"The importance of animal identification is increasing significantly," Dr. Owen said. "With animal theft on the rise, the threat of terrorism and the need to monitor highly infectious diseases, the ability to individually identify and track animal movement is essential to equine and livestock owners."
Lyda Denney, DVM, New York State Department of Agriculture field veterinarian and Coordinator of the New York State Horse Health Assurance Program, said she believed the new microchip would add an important level of protection for horses and horse owners.
"The New York State Horse Health Assurance program is dedicated to a pro-active approach to equine health care and welfare through the use of best management practices and we welcome the addition of this unique temperature-sensing microchip," Dr. Denney said. She added that the state of New York is funding the program.
About the New York State Horse Health Assurance Program
The New York State Health Assurance Program, is a voluntary certification program designed to promote and teach a pro-active approach to equine health, care and welfare through the use of certain "best management practices" and to recognize exceptionally managed equine operations. It is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry. For more information, visit http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/.
About Applied Digital
Applied Digital (NASDAQ:ADSX), develops innovative security products for consumer, commercial, and government sectors worldwide. The Company's unique and often proprietary products provide security for people, animals, the food supply, government/military arena, and commercial assets. Included in this diversified product line are RFID applications, end-to-end food safety systems, GPS/Satellite communications, and telecomm and security infrastructure, positioning Applied Digital as the leader of Security Through Innovation. Applied Digital is the owner of a majority position in Digital Angel Corporation. For more information; visit the company's website at http://www.adsx.com/.
About Digital Angel Corporation
Digital Angel Corporation develops and deploys sensor and communications technologies that enable rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring of high-value assets. Applications for the Company's products include identification and monitoring of pets, fish, livestock, and humans through its patented implantable microchips; location tracking and message monitoring of vehicles and aircraft in remote locations through systems that integrate GPS and geosynchronous satellite communications; and monitoring of asset conditions such as temperature and movement, through advanced miniature sensors.
Digital Angel Corporation is majority-owned by Applied Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSX). For more information about Digital Angel, please visit http://www.DigitalAngelCorp.com.
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