Joey’s (Belated) Tuesday Tip – Microchips and Pet Tags

By Scott Lackenby | Dated October 28, 2014

Hey gang! How are you all? Or, I know what you’re thinking. Why am I posting a Tuesday Tip on Wednesday? Well I was having some issues with the website yesterday, so I’m bringing it to you a day late. I have a very exciting Pet of the Week for you on Thursday, it involves a rescue by some amazing Firefighters so be sure to check back in with me on Thursday.

My tip this week is about microchipping and pet tags, two very important things for us, your fur-babies, to have. A microchip is the same size as a piece of long grain rice and is inserted under the skin. This chip contains a unique code that once registered, can be used to identify your pet should s/he ever go missing. We use a special microchip scanner to read the number and that number is then entered into a database where your contact details are registered. Now, this process only works if two things happen.
1. You make sure your pet has a working microchip. And
2. You make sure that you update your contact details if you move or change phone numbers.

With the exception of some working farm dogs, all dogs and cats in NSW are required to have a microchip. This chip is usually implanted when the puppy or kitten has their vaccination at 8-10weeks. But just having a microchip doesn’t register your pet. Legally you do not need to finalize your pets registration with your local council until you have them desexed at 6months of age. Not only does desexing prevent serious health issues for your pet in later life, you will also save on registration fees with your pets registration.

It’s also really important that you make sure your contact details are up to date. Not sure if they are? Get in touch with your local council and find out. They will need you to give them your pets microchip number, and if you don’t have that handy, give us a call. We usually check microchip numbers for our patients. Too often we have stray animals come in with a microchip that either haven’t had the registration process completed or the contact detail aren’t up to date. And it’s not just dogs and cats that can be microchipped. Have a beloved bunny, frisky ferret or precious parrot? They can also be microchipped and registered.

The other important thing is making sure your canine companion is wearing a collar with an ID tag. This tag needs to have your dog’s name on it as well as a phone number. What about cats you say? Well, I’m a perfect example of why the rules aren’t as strict for us felines. We have a tendency to lose our collars, either by accident or on purpose, so we aren’t bound by the same rules as my doggy friends. If your dog is picked up by a council ranger and isn’t wearing a collar with a tag, you could be fined. The same applies if you don’t microchip your dog or cat or if they are picked up and your contact details are not current. So aside from potentially helping reunite your lost with you, by mictochipping and putting an ID tag on, you will also be avoiding some serious fines.

If you have any questions about microchipping or need to organize a pet tag, just give us a call. Well, better go. I’ll catch you all tomorrow for Pet of the Week. Meows for now, love Joey xoxo