In NSW, it’s the law that all dogs and cats must be microchipped by the time they’re 12 weeks old, or, for older pets, before they’re given away or sold. That means you must have your pet microchipped before you can apply for lifetime registration.
All cats and dogs must be listed on the NSW Companion Animals Register. Once your pet is microchipped, a Permanent Identification Form is completed confirming the identification information that is to be entered on the register.
Your local vet, or the Authorised Identifier who implants the microchip into your pet, will enter the information you give them into the register and issue you with a certificate of identification
What Exactly is a Microchip?
A microchip is a permanent way to identify a pet that may have become lost or separated from its owner. About the size of a grain of rice, it is implanted under the skin at the back of your pet’s neck where there’s usually a surplus of skin, so it’s a relatively painless procedure.
Each chip has a unique identification number that corresponds to the information that was entered into the register. A microchip scanner is waved over your pet somewhat like a barcode scanner, the number is entered into the database, and your pet can be identified and returned to you.
It’s very important to keep your contact details up to date to ensure your pet can be quickly reunited with you. If you take ownership of a new pet that is already microchipped, you should promptly update the information that corresponds to your new pet’s chip to reflect the new owner, address and contact details.
The Microchip Advantage
Your pet might have previously worn a collar with an identification tag in case they got lost, but collars can be removed. Your pet, particularly cats, can find ways to remove their collars. Dogs can pull out of loose collars and run off after cars, people, or other animals. Other people can even remove your pet’s collar for various reasons.
A microchip is permanent and can’t be removed, so it’s a more reliable form of identifying your pet if they’re lost and wandering, or they’re found injured. A pet can’t tell people where they live, but their microchip can. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing that if your dog or cat is separated from you, there’s a way for people at the veterinary clinic or animal shelter to call you and let you know they’ve been found.
Specialist Veterinary Services in Sydney
If you need to microchip your pet or have any other veterinary issues, speak to our specialist vets at Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists today. Book an appointment from Monday to Friday 8:30am-6pm or contact us for emergency and after-hours care. Call us on (02) 9197 5800, contact us online or learn more about our services.
