Microchipping your Pets – Why it is Important and Compulsory!

Microchipping your Pets – Why it is Important and Compulsory!

by Freya Britt-Lewis, Pet Health Care Writer

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a device used to identify companion cats and dogs. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and inserted subcutaneously (under the skin) between the pet’s shoulder blades by a veterinarian or other accredited individual. This procedure is quick, safe, and causes minimal discomfort.

All cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age, and before they are sold, adopted or given away (whichever comes first). This is a legal requirement outlined in the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.

How does a microchip work?

Each microchip contains a unique 15-digit number that can be scanned with a microchip scanner. Microchips are used to identify the owner of stray pets that are found roaming, lost or injured. To reunite pets with their owners our team uses a microchip scanner to look up the 15-digit number, which is linked to the owner’s contact details in the NSW Pet Registry (run by the NSW state government). To ensure owner details are kept secure, only authorised personnel, like council rangers, pounds and vets, have access to this database.

On the registry, we can access owner details such as their phone number, email, and a home address. It is vital that your contact details are kept up to date if you move house or change your phone number.

At Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, we will do everything possible to reunite pet owners with their beloved dog or cat. However, if your pet is lost and we cannot contact you, the council ranger is contacted and they may need to be collected and taken to a holding facility, such as a council pound. This is why ensuring your details are up to date is so important.

How can I check if my pet’s microchip details are correct?

Turramurra Veterinary Hospital is happy to assist you with this. If your pet has had a veterinary consultation in the past, we would have a record of your microchip number in our database. If you’re unsure whether your details are up-to-date in the NSW Pet Registry, contact our Customer Care Team via email at info@turramurravet.com.au or ask us to review this when you’re next in. Alternatively, contact the NSW Pet Registry directly and their team can assist you.

How do I update my details?

If you know your pet’s microchip number and the phone number your pet is currently registered to, you can create an online account with NSW Pet Registry directly at www.petregistry.olg.nsw.gov.au and edit your contact details, including contact number, email, and home address. If you find you are having difficulties with this, contact the NSW Pet Registry directly on 1300 134 460 or via email at pets@olg.nsw.gov.au and their client care team can assist you. They are open from 9am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

It is important that you do not wait until your pet is missing to ensure these details are correct as this will delay your pet being reunited with you in case of emergency.

Do I need to register my pet?

The process of microchipping is separate to lifetime pet registration, which is also compulsory and involves paying a registration fee with your local council. Once registered, your pet is are registered for the rest of their life in NSW. Fees vary depending on circumstances, so we encourage pet owners to visit their local council’s website to review the requirements. For clients within the Ku-Ring-Gai Council region, this information can be found at https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Community/Pets-and-animals/Registration.

If your vet has recommended your pet is desexed later than the council’s guidelines, then you can request a Desexing Exemption Certificate from Turramurra Veterinary Hospital with the recommended age at which desexing has been recommended. This is common in large breed male dogs, where vets are now recommending a later age than 6 months old for desexing.