Why Microchipping Your Dog Is Essential for Safety

Why Microchipping Matters

Microchipping provides your dog with a permanent form of identification and greatly increases the chances of you being reunited if your dog is lost or stolen. It can also help improve the traceability of dogs and their breeders.

Microchipping is compulsory for dogs in most Australian states and territories, usually before a puppy can be sold or given away and by around three months of age. Owners are responsible for keeping their contact details up to date on the microchip registry.

A microchip isn't a GPS tracker. Instead, it contains a unique identification number which can be read using a scanner. If a lost dog is taken to a vet, rescue centre or council, the chip can be scanned and the registered keeper contacted.

Your vet can arrange microchipping, and some councils and animal welfare organisations may also provide the service. Costs vary, so check with your local provider. Some charities may offer free or reduced-cost microchipping in certain circumstances.

Microchipping also has a number of other welfare benefits, including:

• Helps reunite lost dogs with their owners. A vet, council or animal welfare organisation can scan the chip, obtain the registered keeper’s details and contact them.
• Helps reunite stolen dogs with their owners. A registered microchip makes it easier to reunite both lost and stolen dogs with their owners.
• Improves the traceability of breeders. In many states, puppies are first registered to their breeder, so the microchip record helps trace where a dog came from.
• Provides permanent identification. The implanted chip carries a unique number linked to the keeper's contact information on a database.
• Can increase the number of lost dogs safely returned home. Compulsory microchipping helps more lost dogs get back home safely to their owners
  

Remember, microchipping is a great way to identify your dog but you can only be reunited with a missing pet if your details are up to date. If you move house or change your telephone number make sure to update these details at your microchip registry.

Here are some FAQs about microchipping:

• What is a microchip?

  A dog microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted under your dog's skin. Each microchip has a unique identification number that can be read with a microchip scanner. This number is registered on a microchip database along with the keeper's contact details.

  A microchip is not a GPS device, so it cannot track your dog's location.

  How and where is the microchip implanted?

  A trained professional implants the microchip under the dog's skin using a specially designed needle. It is usually implanted between the dog's shoulder blades.

  In Australia, microchips must be implanted by an authorised implanter, such as a vet, and your pet's details recorded on a microchip registry.

  Does microchipping hurt a dog?

  Implanting a microchip is a quick procedure and does not normally require an anaesthetic. Your dog may feel a brief moment of discomfort when the chip is inserted, much like having an injection.

  Once implanted, your dog should not normally be aware of the microchip.

  Who can scan a dog's microchip?

  Vets, councils, rangers, rescue centres and animal welfare organisations commonly have microchip scanners.

  If you find a lost dog, a vet or appropriate local animal service may be able to scan the dog to see whether it has a microchip.

  How is the owner of a microchipped dog traced?

  When a lost or stray dog is scanned, the scanner displays the dog's unique microchip number. This can be used to identify the database on which the microchip is registered.

  An authorised person can then use the database to obtain the registered keeper's contact information and attempt to reunite the dog with them.

  This is why it is extremely important to keep the contact details registered against your dog's microchip up to date.

  Where can I get my dog microchipped?

  Most veterinary practices offer dog microchipping. Microchipping may also be available through some animal charities, rescue organisations and councils, and some councils run low-cost microchipping days.

  If you're getting a puppy, it should normally already be microchipped before you take it home. In most Australian states, puppies must be microchipped before they can be sold or given away.

  How much does it cost to microchip a dog?

  The cost varies between veterinary practices and other providers. Check with your local vet or council for current prices.

  Some charities and local organisations may offer free or reduced-cost microchipping to eligible owners or as part of particular schemes.

  Remember that there may also be fees for updating or transferring details on some microchip databases.

Microchipping your dog is a small act that can make a big difference. It’s fast, affordable, and potentially lifesaving. Make sure your contact details are always kept up to date on the microchip database for maximum protection.

As well as microchipping it is vitally important, and in many areas a legal requirement, that your dog wears an ID tag or collar.