What is a microchip?

A microchip is silicon computer chip about the size of a grain of rice. When an animal is scanned a unique number will appear on the screen of the scanner, similar to a supermarket barcode. That unique number corresponds with owner and pet details. The microchip is implanted under the cat or dogs skin between their shoulder blades.

A microchip scanner displaying a pets unique microchip number.

Why should I microchip my cat or dog?

Because its the ONLY form of permanent identification. Harnesses, collars and tags can fall off, a microchip can never fall off.

What happens if my pet gets lost?

If he is collected by the council ranger and taken to the pound or shelter or if a member of public who takes the dog/cat to a vet, he will be scanned and checked to see if he has a microchip. If he does, the scanner detect the unique microchip number of the scanner screen. This number is put into the computer and your details are found. You can then be contacted and can collect your pet.

What happens if my pet gets lost and doesn’t have a microchip?

Then you can’t be contacted. The finder (member of the public) may assume he has been dumped or assume that he doesn’t have a home – they may even keep him, even though it is against the law to do so. If he is taken to the pound or shelter he will remain there for 8 days waiting for you. It is a requirement for all pounds and shelters to scan all cats and dogs admitted for the presence of a microchip.

How often do i have to pay this micorchiping fee? Is it like a council registration?

No. You pay the microchipping fee once and only once. Council registration and microchipping are 2 very different requirements.

How long until my details are put on the microchipping registry?

Within 4 days. You fill out a form as the owner, I implant, I take the details and ensure they’re put on the registry. You will then receive a microchipping certificate which contains you and your pets details. This certificate should be sighted by your local council to ensure you get a reduced council registration fee.

Pugs being scanned for a microchip

I heard there’s a whole heap of registries, how do I get my details on the best?

There are 4 registries in Australia

- NPR (National Pet Register)

- CAR (Central Animal Records)

- Pet Safe

- AAR (Australian Animal Registry)

State Legislation requires all of these registries to be linked, so if you find an animal with a microchip and the vet calls Central Animal Records, CAR will beable to locate the owners details as they are linked to the other 3 registries. So it doesn’t matter who has your information – it can always be found.

Can my pets microchip fall out?

Generally this only happens if your pet is not kept fairly calm whilst the little wound is healing or if you wash the wash the dog straight after, so for the first 48 hours you should try and keep him calm and very dry. It’s very uncommon for a chip to come out. It’s extremely important that you have your pet scanned every time he visits the vet to ensure it has not moved.

What do you mean moved?

If you have a very bouncy dog your pets microchip can migrate, this means it slips down towards his shoulder. Get your vet to scan your pet annually and they’ll beable to tell you if it has migrated.

“Tiny” being scanned for a microchip

How much will a microchipped pet cost to register with the local council?

Want to know more Information about council registrations?

WELL WORTH IT!!!