Myth #1 - Microchipping will hurt my pet.
FALSE. The microchipping procedure is a quick and simple procedure which only takes a few seconds to complete.
Some puppies and kittens may flinch or vocalise as the chip is implanted, however this discomfort is very short lived with most pets forgetting very quickly. This temporary discomfort is outweighed by the long-term welfare benefits of your pet being microchipped.
Myth #2 – Microchips can be used to track my pet.
FALSE. A microchip is not a GPS or tracking device, so nobody can track your pet's location via the microchip for any purpose.
A microchip contains only a number which can only be read using a microchip scanner. The owner’s details are retrieved only by authorised person on a microchip registry. Members of the public do not have access to owner’s details on the registries.
In South Australia, microchip numbers are registered on Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). Pet owners must register their contact details with DACO to ensure they can be located in the event someone finds their lost pet.
Myth #3 – Microchipping exposes my personal information.
FALSE. A pet's microchip number must be registered on a secure database registry which has the details of their owner's name, address, phone number and email. The owner’s details can only be retrieved by authorised persons.
If someone other than an authorised person searches a pet’s microchip number on DACO, the only information visible to that person is the council area in which the animal is registered.
According to Dr Bryan Oon, Head Veterinarian at Animal Welfare League, your personal information will always remain secure.
“The only people who can access the private information on your pet’s microchip such as your name, address and contact details are veterinary, animal shelter or council staff who need to contact you if your pet has been found,” he said.
To make sure your personal details remain secure, all data at DACO is stored and encrypted on the Amazon Web Services platform. The only people who can access that data are approved users at the Dog and Cat Management Board, Local Government personnel an approved industry bodies such as veterinary staff.
Myth #4 – Microchips don’t help reunite pets with owners.
FALSE. In the event that your lost pet has been found, a vet, council or shelter can scan the chip and access your contact details in order to reunite you with your lost loved one.
According to Dr Bryan, it is the best and most effective way to ensure your pet is returned to you.
“If your pet does get lost, your best chance of being reunited with them is having had then microchipped and making sure your contact details are up to date on Dogs and Cats Online,” Dr Bryan said.
There are many heart-warming stories of pets who were reunited with their owners thanks to their microchip. You can update your microchip details by logging into your account on DACO or by contacting your local council.
Myth #5 – Microchipped pets don’t need ID tags.
FALSE. You should still fit your pet with a collar and a clearly printed identification tag.
With an ID tag, if your pet has wandered away from home, whoever finds them can reunite them with you using the contact information on the tag quicker than if they have to take them to get their chip scanned.
It’s important to remember that a microchip will only assist a lost pet if somebody finds them and takes them to a veterinary practice, animal shelter or local council where staff can use a scanner to check the microchip number against a database registry.
Dr Bryan recommends fitting cats with something known as breakaway collars – these will ensure your cat doesn’t get injured if their collar gets caught on something when they wander off.
“Cats will often become entangled when roaming, and these collars will help to make sure they don’t hurt themselves in the process,” he said.
Want to find out more about microchipping?
For more information about the microchipping process, or to find out where you can get your pet microchipped, click the button below. We’ll send you an email with everything you need to know!
