Microchipping your dog or cat

Microchipping requirements

When you register your dog or cat for the first time, it must be microchipped.

Microchipping is not a substitute for Council pet registration.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a small computer chip that is about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip has a unique number that can be detected with a microchip scanner. This number is recorded with a licenced registry together with details about the animal and the owner.

When you have your dog or cat microchipped, the microchip is implanted just under the skin - between the shoulder blades at the back of the neck. Microchipping is a common and safe procedure, takes a few seconds and is painless.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has more information on microchipping dogs and cats.

Benefits of microchipping your dog or cat

Microchipping is a permanent form of identification for your pet.

Microchipping your dog or cat is a great way to ensure that your pet can be easily identified if it strays or becomes lost. Vets, animal shelters and local Councils can scan the microchip and then contact you to let you know the location of your pet.

Where to get your dog or cat microchipped

Vets, pounds and animal shelters can microchip your cat or dog, including:

• Lost Dogs Home, phone 9329 2755
• RSPCA, phone 9224 2222

These veterinary clinics have microchipping services in the Merri-bek area:

• Pascoe Vale Veterinary Hospital, phone 9350 2955
• Brunswick Central Veterinary Clinic, phone 9381 4411

Keeping your pet's microchip details up to date

The vet, pound or animal shelter that microchips your pet is responsible for sending the application form containing all the required information to a licensed registry within 2 days of implantation.

Once your pet is microchipped, it is your responsibility to ensure that your contact details on the registry are up to date.

There are a number of licenced domestic animals (microchip) registries in Victoria.

To check which registry lists your pet's microchip number, you can search Pet Address using your pet’s microchip number. Pet Address will redirect you to the registry that lists your pet’s microchip number so that you can contact them directly to update your details.

If your pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must update the details with the pet's microchip number on the registry.

December is National Pet ID Month

December is a particularly busy time for shelters across Australia as they are inundated with pets that have escaped and become lost due to fireworks, stormy weather and holidaying owners.

National Pet ID Month is an annual awareness-raising month initiated by the National Pet Register (now managed by Central Animal Records) and The Lost Dogs’ Home, to improve the chances of reuniting these lost cats and dogs with their owners.

What you can do:

• Mark December in your calendar as National Pet ID Month and an annual reminder to get on top of your pet’s identification.

• Learn how to identify your pet, update your details and what to do if you lose a pet or find a lost pet.

• Go to National Pet ID Month website and keep an eye out for ChipChecker events happening in your area

• Keep an eye out for an updated list of microchipping and ChipChecker events throughout the year at the Central Animal Records website.

Visit lost and found pets for more information about what you can do if you lose your pet or find an animal.