Animal Identification (NAIS)

Premises Registration is Voluntary in Washington State.
For more information, e-mail or call (360) 725-5493

• Animals can be identified as individuals or groups

• Individually identified livestock receive an Animal Identification Number (AIN). AIN is a unique 15 digit number; the first three numbers indicate the country of origin (840 for USA). AIN stays with the animal for life.

• Animals that are typically handled as a group through the production chain (i.e. chickens, swine and branded cattle) receive a Group Identification Number (GIN), which is a combination of premises number and the date the group was formed.

• Producers have flexibility when using identification devices, as long as the data is consistent with the national standards. Currently, there are seven animal identification manufactures
  (PDF File 1,097 kb)
  whose devices have been approved by USDA as official NAIS animal identification devices.
• National species working groups have also recommended the best way to identify particular species.

For more information on animal identification
(External Link)
For more information on species work groups
(External Link)

• Interested producers should visit the USDA website.
  (External Link)
  In order to purchase USDA official NAIS animal identification devices producers must have a NAIS PIN.
  

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