Microchipping

To help stray cats and dogs at

Lort Smith Animal

Hospital visit Strays Birthday

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WE CAN HOST YOUR NEXT MICROCHIPPING DAY

What is a microchip?

It is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice that gets inserted into the back of the cat or dog between the shoulder blades.

Why should I microchip my cat or dog?

Because it’s the ONLY form of permanent identification. Harnesses and collars can fall off; a microchip can never fall off.

But I thought only vets could microchip an animal?

Victorian legislation changed in 2006, the Victorian government have brought in legislation that states that your cat or dog that is registered for the first time with your council must be microchipped. This comes into effect in May 2007. Because there will be a need for more microchippers the Government has allowed people with certain qualifications to also implant microchips.

So that sounds like fun, can I go and become an implanter?

Probably not. After December 1, 2006 only vets, vet nurses, and those that have completed a certain level certificate (3 or 4 or higher) of a certain course, Vet Nursing/Animal Technology/Animal Welfare/Animal Management can apply and then must complete a course. If they complete the course and pass they can implant a microchip into a cat or dog (only) if they have an agreement with a vet.

So this means you have completed one of those courses?

Sure have, and now Christie is a certified microchip implanter.

What happens if my pet gets lost?

If he is collected by the council Ranger, the pound or shelter or a member of public who takes the dog/cat to a vet he will be scanned and checked to see if he has a microchip. If he does, the scanner will beep, it will provide 10 or 15 digit number, this number is unique to your pet and contains your information on it. The number is put into the computer and your details are found. You can then be contacted and can collect your pet.

What happens if my pet gets lost and doesn’t have a microchip?

Then you can’t be contacted. The finder (member of the public) may assume he has been dumped or assume that he doesn’t have a home – they may even keep him, even though it is against the law to do so. If he is taken to the pound or shelter he will remain there for 8 days waiting for you.

Why is microchipping so cheap through you?

Because I don’t have the over heads that a vet has I don’t need to charge more than $30.

How often do I have to pay this microchipping fee? Is it like a council registration?

No. You pay the microchipping fee once and only once. Council registration and microchipping are 2 very different requirements.

How long until my details are put on the microchipping registry?

Within 4 days. You fill out a form as the owner, I implant, I take the details and ensure they’re put on the registry. You will then receive a microchipping certificate; this will also ensure you get reduced registration next year.

I heard there’s a whole heap of registries, how do I get my details on the best?

There are 4 registries in Australia

- NPR (National Pet Register)

- CAR (Central Animal Records)

- Pet Safe

-AAR (Australian Animal Registry)

New Legislation requires all of these registries to be linked, so if you find an animal with a microchip and the vet calls Central Animal Records (CAR), CAR will be able to locate the owner’s details as they are linked to the other 3 registries. So it doesn’t matter who has your information – it can always be found.

Can my pet’s microchip fall out?

Generally this only happens if your pet is not kept fairly calm whilst the wound is healing or if you wash the wash the dog straight after, so for the first 48 hours you should try and keep him calm and very dry. It’s very uncommon for a chip to come out. Ocassionaly an animals body will reject the chip within the first day or so, but again, this is uncommon. Therefore, it is extremely important that you have your pet scanned every time he visits the vet to ensure it has not moved.

What do you mean moved?

If you have a very bouncy dog your pet’s microchip can migrate, this means it slips down towards his shoulder. Get your vet to scan your pet annually and they’ll be able to tell you if it has migrated.

How much will a microchipped pet cost to register?

It depends on the Council in which you reside. Generally it’s about 1/3 of the full fee. So in Maribyrnong the full fee for a dog that is not de-sexed and who is not microchipped the cost is $96.00 and for a cat it is also $96.00.If your dog has been microchipped (or desexed) the reduced rate comes all the way down to $33.00 per year, for a cat it’s $23.00 per year.So for dogs it’s a massive saving of $63.00 and for cats $73.00. Want to know more Information about council registrations?

WELL WORTH IT!!!

Where do you microchip my pet?

In the comfort of your own home, we come to you. We also hold microchipping days where the rate is a flat one off $25.00.

When’s the next microchipping day?

Check out www.microchipping.net.au for all the details.

I am organising a fete / fair / festival / event and am looking for someone to organise microchipping, can you do this?

ABSOLUTELY! Not only can we organise the microchipping, we can organise free show bags with samples for every pet microchipped which also contains responsible pet ownership information AND we’ll pack the bags. The cost to you? All we need from the event organiser is a safe area to actually chip the animals (preferably with a small marque or cover if outdoors) if you are a council, RPO brochures and help with advertising. Simple.

Why would we ask Onsite to organise our microchipping day over others?

Because not only are we experienced in several areas of the animal industry but because we care. We offer after care information for our clients and know only too well that many others don’t. We take the time with each client and their companion animal and go through the procedure from beginning to end. Because we have a great relationship with some wonderful dog food companies (who supply us with show bags). Because we don’t require a minimum quota. Unlike other companies we don’t require you to ensure that there are a certain amount of microchips inserted over the day, this means no costs to you at the end of the day.

For further information regarding our microchipping at events check out www.microchipping,net.au