The Canadian Horse ID Program (CHIP) Supports The Use of PID Numbers

Did you know a Premises ID (PID) number can play a critical role in protecting your equines in animal health, traceability, and emergency response?

Whether you own one horse or manage a full barn, having a PID means you are part of Canada’s national traceability system — designed to help keep animals and their owners safe. Some provinces like BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba mandate PIDs for equines, while in other provinces, it is voluntary. If the voluntary program exists, owners may choose to obtain a PID number for their property anyways, particularly if they also have other regulated species or if they want to be included in the traceability system.

Here’s why equine owners should have a PID number:

✅ Be alerted first in disease outbreaks (e.g., strangles, equine flu, West Nile)

When it comes to Traceability and Disease Control, PID numbers act quickly to identify your physical location (farm, stable, event venue) where horses are kept. If there is an outbreak of an equine disease (e.g., equine influenza, West Nile virus, strangles), authorities can quickly trace and isolate affected premises, helping to stop the spread.

✅ Get emergency preparedness and support during wildfires, floods, and other disasters

In natural disasters (e.g., wildfires, floods), having a PID allows provincial authorities to:

· Contact horse owners directly.

· Coordinate evacuation or emergency shelter plans for livestock.

· Access provincial funding or compensation programs during disease outbreaks or disasters.

✅ Transport, compete, and sell horses with confidence — many provinces require a PID like BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while other provinces have voluntary programs.

✅ Register microchips, passports, and location records accurately with your PID number. The Canadian Horse Identification Program (CHIP) is a national traceability program that supports the registration of the PID numbers in the equine’s records.

✅ Your information is protected and only used when needed. Information is protected under privacy legislation. The information will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected -to prepare for, respond to, or recover from a disaster or animal disease.

✅ It’s free, quick to apply for, and could save lives.

When disaster strikes or disease spreads, a PID helps ensure you’re notified, supported, and protected. It also helps Canada respond faster to emergencies and keep the equine industry strong.

👉 Apply today through your provincial agriculture office — it takes just 10–15 minutes.

Your horses rely on you. Let’s make sure you’re covered.

To learn more about the PID numbers for your province, please visit the links in the PID poster or visit the Government of Canada’s webpage on Premises ID.

To find out more about the Canadian Horse Identification Program (CHIP) and the 124-000 equine microchips, please visit http://everyhorsecounts.ca .

This article is brought to you by the Canadian Horse Identification Program (CHIP) in partnership with Manitoba Horse Council