Animal Identification 



Current Animal Identification 



To control and eradicate animal diseases, epidemiologists must be able to trace the 

 movement of animals. This goal can be realized only if the animals are properly 

 identified and the individual and the herd, flock, or group identification are recorded. 



As an accredited veterinarian, you are legally responsible for properly identifying 

 animals and recording the identification on certain official documents, such as 

 CVIs, test charts, and vaccination charts. It is essential that another individual be 

 able to positively identify animals that you have listed on official documents. When 

 documents require animal identification, record all forms of identification associated 

 with the animal. 



Acceptable means of identifying different species of animals are defined below. 

 USDA-approved backtags cannot be used as the only identification for onfarm testing 

 or for movement other than in slaughter channels. 



For the purposes of identifying animals, a Premises Identification Number is a 

 unique number assigned by a Federal or State animal health official to a livestock 

 production unit that is, in the judgment of the State animal health official or AVIC, 

 epidemiologically distinct from other livestock production units. 



Cattle Identification 



Record all forms of identification if more than one form is present. (See figure 2 for 

 an example of a calfhood vaccination identification, figure 3 for a depiction of cattle 

 dentition to assess age, and table 3 for a list of bovine breeds and abbreviation codes.) 

 In addition to listing the correct age, gender, and breed of the animal, use one or 

 more of the following identification methods: 



• Official eartag. An official eartag is an identification eartag approved by APHIS as 

 being tamper resistant and providing unique identification for each animal. An 

 official eartag may conform to the alphanumeric National Uniform Eartagging 

 System, or it may bear a valid Premises Identification Number used in conjunction 

 with the producer's livestock production numbering system to provide a unique 

 identification number. The first two numbers on a tag are the numbers assigned to 

 a specific State. For example, South Carolina's number is 56. (See tables 4 and 5 for 

 other State numbers.) 



• Individual animal's registration tattoo accompanied by the official registration 

 certificate issued by a recognized breed association. 



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