Microchips are an effective way to future proof your pet against becoming lost, with vets and pounds routinely examining strays for microchips in the hope that they can reunite the owner with their precious pet.
What is a microchip?
Microchips are a permanent digital ID about the size of a grain of rice inserted in the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. They are read by using a scanner passed over the animals back to read the microchip’s unique code.
Some microchips can be felt under the skin with thin layers of tissue growing around the implant, which holds it in place once inserted. Microchips can move as the animal grows, which most vets know, and there is no risk of damage to the pet’s vital organs.
How do I check or update my details on my pet’s microchip?
The key to success with microchipping is to ensure that your information is up-to-date in the various animal databases, that way vets and shelters can reunite you with your pet. Pounds cannot track the microchip without current contact information. There are a number of registers that record this information and most will provide an option for you to make changes online.
The Pet Registry (which is managed by the NSW local government) is an online database of microchipped and registered cats and dogs that live in NSW: https://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au/#/
The pet registry allows you to register your account whereby you then go to your local council or vet to check the pet registry database against your pet’s microchip.
Other websites that facilitate the change of ownership or change of details for a pet include the following.
Central Animals Records https://car.animalrecords.com.au
Australasian Animal Registry (AAR) http://www.rasnsw.com.au/animal-registry
Puppies and kittens can safely be microchipped from six weeks of age. If you have any questions about microchipping, need to know your pet’s microchip number or, want to arrange to have your pet microchipped, please contact us.
