DOGdex ID Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is DOGdex ID better than the other DNA ID programs?
A: As far as an ID program, we offer actual ID cards rather than DNA certificates and online verification, so the card can be verified against the authoritative source. But more importantly, we are empowering municipalities to return lost dogs and end pet euthanization. No other company is even talking about that solving problem, they only care about making money. So who would you rather spend your money with for your dog ID?

Q: Can DNA really get my dog back?
A: Today, we cannot promise in your municipality that they will be testing all lost dogs for DNA matches. But we are working toward that goal. In the meantime, the DNA ID is definitive proof that you own your dog. If you find your dog in a shelter or at someones home and there is ever a question that you are the owner, a simple DNA test can be done to prove it, as long as the initial ID was done previously to recorded the dogs DNA in our database.

Q: Is DOGdex a Nonprofit?
A: NO, DOGdex ID is a trademark being used by our Mr Dog Poop brand of our main corporation. But that does not mean our intentions are not to help dogs get back home. We have trimmed the cost to the bone, developed the technology at our expense and offer municipal implimentation with no cost to the cities. All that costs money. And, Yes, at some point we will make a profit, but that is not our main concern as we do make money picking up dog poop from people's yards. And when we do make money from the ID program, our hope is that the profit will help fund other animal programs and make the world a better place for everyone with pets. Most of the DOGdex ID net revenue is actually paid to the municipalities to fund their shelters, animal assistance programs and pet education and outreach programs.

Q: How can you help a municipality get started? And what is the cost?
A: That is up to each municipality. Every implementation will be unique even though the end result will be the same, having dog licenses with an attached DOGdex ID that is DNA certified.

With municipalities ranging from 100 dogs and less to 100,000 dogs and more, each has different needs, resources and implementation requirements. Because our company is primarily an IT company, we can create custom software integrations for each at no cost. Provide web resources and hardware at no cost. We also have plans to capitalize on commercial licensing to generate revenue for the city even before the ID is required.

Municipalities have nothing to lose and everything to gain. In most cases, we can greatly increase the revenue that cities have to run their animal programs with no investment from the city at all. All this while reducing their operating costs.

All they have to do, is have a desire to stop euthanizing dogs, we do everything until the city sees a profit and can begin requiring ID from each registered dog.

Q: Why hasn't every city signed up, it seems like a no brainer?
A: The program is new, it will take time to expand and build in the infrastructure to process DNA for millions and millions of dogs. Even if cites were to require everyone to participate, there are no labs anywhere that could process all that DNA at one time. Collecting millions of samples is equally as challenging. Lab expansions and new equipment costs millions and takes time, so we are moving slowly so that nobody has to fund the project or make significant changes to their current programs.

We realize how much people want this program and we are working to make it a reality. But Rome was not built overnight and neither will DOGdex ID.

If we tried to work with too many municipalities at one time we would not have the millions of extra dollars to make this happen and we don't want to burden any municipality with that cost.

Q: This seems to good to be true, why haven't other companies done this?
A: It seems like the idea is too good to be true, but the truth is, this is a massive undertaking.

One that very few companies could ever execute because it requires the marriage of science, technology and politics, three ideas that mix like oil, fire and water. Maybe that is why it has never been attempted before or maybe because the profit level is so low.

In starting the project we contacted countless DNA labs to ask them for processing. Nobody wanted to meet our cost margins when they could process human DNA for over 100 times the price.

On the IT side, developing the database would cost millions but we did that in house with our own tools, hardware and developers. That means we lost millions not doing work for paying customers.

We are still working through the politics part, but who in their right mind would want to spend millions to make pennies? Probably only someone that loves animals and sees that the real value is in solving this epidemic euthanization problem.

Who is willing to put up their cash on a pipe dream to save dogs with very little profit on the upside? So far, only one company has been willing to do that, OURS.

Q: How long does it take to process a DNA sample?
A: For sure it takes longer than As Seen On TV.

Once we have the sample, the extraction process takes about 1 hour, then the sample needs to be amplified in a thermocycler for about 3 hours, then the sample need to be run through the analyzer which is done in large batches taking from 3 hours to over night based on the quantity being processed. Best case it takes about 7-10 hours from start to finish to process one sample. Of course, more than one sample is done in each process or we could not afford to do it.

Our goal is to be able to provide results to shelters in 24 hours however, in practical terms as we get started that number will be closer to 48 - 72 hours.

Q: We have a big city, will you be able to handle the volume of DNA?
A: YES, Having more volume actually helps the process because the machines we use can process thousands of samples at one time, so the more we have the quicker we can load the runs and get results.

We have also contracted with many independent labs to manage our overflow if that occurs. Now that we have developed the processes and procedures we have a full contingent of sub contractors which will allow us to expand quickly if needed.

However, when it comes to the IT integration, we will need to work with each city to be able to provide what they need which is sometimes a slow back and forth process. This is one of the reasons why we try to work on a slower ramp up schedule so it is less painful on both ends and high volume is not an issue.

We have ready made solutions and will provide online ID tracking and web access to each municipality, but in many cases, a real time data exchange is needed, and that can take time to develop greatly depending on the abilities of the municipality's IT staff.

Q: I am the animal services director for my city, what do I need to do to get started?
A: Call Us! We will talk, asses your needs and see if we can get your city in the mix. There is no cost to the city, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Q: Our police department is requesting access to the data for crime solving, can they get it?
A: YES, if your municipality chooses to allow it. Each municipality needs to address the needs of their own residents. Law enforcement has been asking for a system like this since DNA was first used in crime solving.

We provide the processes and procedures and genetic markers so forensic labs can process crime scene evidence and match canine DNA with the profiles in the database.

Since our company is not in the chain of custody, we operate solely as an independent lab. But we can provide access to the database which is similar to CODIS so law enforcement can search by DNA profiles based on the DNA they collected.

This is particularly useful in dog bite and attack cases as well as general crime solving where canine DNA is present. With just one dog hair being one source of DNA, canine evidence is in play more and more often and DOGdex ID makes it possible to quickly locate the source.

Q: Isn't DOGdex ID an invasion of privacy? Now the police can track my dog?
A: NO, the only value to the police department is that if your dog is involved in a crime they can find you. If your dog has been at a crime scene, it will aid in the investigation. If you plan on committing a crime, murdering someone, robbing a bank or some other felony, don't bring your dog. Because, yes, this will be used to find you. For the rest of us law abiding citizens, this makes us much safer and we all like that.

Q: I am not a municipality, just a pet owner, how can I help?
A: As a pet owner we need you to spread the word about the program, get other people excited about it and let everyone know we are out here trying to make a difference. That will help tremendously in building awareness to this program and its benefits. And if you want to help financially, just order one of our IDs and show your municipality you support this program and would like it in place to protect your pets.