Using RFID to read ID chips in cats and dogs

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

I haven't really done any research about this topic yet, but maybe any of you guys know if this is a good starter project for my first Arduino.

There's a lot of cats wandering around my house without collars, and I'm wondering if they're stray cats or someones pets. Is this device capable of reading the info in their RFID chips (if they have a chip)? Is the programming difficult for this operation?

As far as I can tell, the ISO standard that is being used (at least here in Norway) is ISO-14223, which operates at 125 - 135 kHz. Could this do the trick?

Any tips is highly appreciated.

2

There is a lot more to it. Just like TV remotes, they are not all the same. Parallax Link:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/87550-Reading-a-pet-s-implanted-RFID

3

steinie44:
There is a lot more to it. Just like TV remotes, they are not all the same. Parallax Link:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/87550-Reading-a-pet-s-implanted-RFID

Thanks for the link!
So it's not only the frequency to take into account, but also the information encoded in the signal. This is called multiflexing, right? I get that this requires some more skill regarding programming and possibly some different parts as well, but it should be possible as long as I know what kind of signal the tags respond to, shouldn't it?

4

So it's not only the frequency to take into account, but also the information encoded in the signal.

Correct. Also the information may be encrypted. So you may just get a bunch of numbers. Then you have to get close enough to read the tag.
Here is more information.

https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2006/cjr37/Website/index.htm

5

This is called multiflexing, right?

No. Multiplexing is putting several signals over one channel.

It is called encoding, and there are many different ways to do it.
You need to first find the type of tag and the encoding that it has.

You can make the coil the size of the entry so the cat actually goes through the coil.

6

Is this device capable of reading the info in their RFID chips (if they have a chip)?

When I had a RFID chip put in my dog, the vet gave me the code that is in the chip. This is just a bunch of numbers, and is of no use by itself. There are national databases that they look up the number to reference the information. So all it will tell you is if the pet has a RFID chip. People that make a pet door, just use the number for access. It would be something like a IR Remote code for a unknown remote.

7

steinie44:

Is this device capable of reading the info in their RFID chips (if they have a chip)?

When I had a RFID chip put in my dog, the vet gave me the code that is in the chip. This is just a bunch of numbers, and is of no use by itself. There are national databases that they look up the number to reference the information. So all it will tell you is if the pet has a RFID chip. People that make a pet door, just use the number for access. It would be something like a IR Remote code for a unknown remote.

That database is open to the public, at least here in Norway. That means I can scan a cat, input the numbers I get on the database website and locate the owner of the cat. Or am I wrong here?

8

That database is open to the public, at least here in Norway. That means I can scan a cat, input the numbers I get on the database website and locate the owner of the cat. Or am I wrong here?

Not sure? Here in the US there are databases where you enter the number, in my case, it's a 15 digit number. I just tried it, and the data base just gives the name and bread. For security, you give them your information and they contact the owner with your permission to contact you.

So, it seems your idea is doable.

https://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=+ID-12LA