Have you ever thought about what you would do if you lost your pet? Many people are faced with this distressing reality every day, resulting in countless sleepless nights spent worrying about their furbabies.
Unfortunately, if the animal isn’t microchipped, it significantly reduces the chance of being reunited with your pet. This is why registering and microchipping your pet is one of the most responsible things you can do as a pet owner.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a method of identification for pets. It is a small chip with a number unique to that pet only. That number is then recorded in a microchip registry with the owner’s contact details.
If an animal is found wandering around on the street, the microchip can be scanned, and the owner contacted, to let them know their pet has been found.
Microchipping your pet is the best way to increase the chances of finding your pet should they ever get lost. A microchip is tiny – no bigger than a grain of rice – but it can’t be understated how important they are. If your pet gets lost and they aren’t microchipped, the chances of you being reunited with them are significantly lower.
Each microchip is unique and has a number that can be scanned using a microchip scanner at a vet, animal shelter or council.
In South Australia, that number is kept by Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). Pet owners must register their pet with DACO and record their contact details to ensure that they can be contacted in the event that someone finds their pet.
Pet owners must also be vigilant in keeping these details up to date to ensure they can be contacted as quickly as possible.
How do I microchip my pet?
Only vets and authorised microchip implanters can implant a microchip.
You can get your pet microchipped at any vet; all you need to do is book an appointment. You can visit our handy Find a Vet page on our website to find a vet near you.
Alternatively, many councils run cheap microchipping events during the year in partnership with ChipBlitz.
If you adopt a pet from Animal Welfare League, your new pet will already be microchipped, desexed and vaccinated.
Is it compulsory to microchip my pet?
Yes, it is mandatory to microchip your pet in South Australia.
If a stray animal is collected by the council or taken to the council by a member of the public or taken to AWL, the council will scan your pet’s microchip and easily find your contact details. They will then contact you immediately, even if your pet’s collar and ID tag have fallen off.
If the animal isn’t microchipped there is no way to contact you. Each year, AWL looks after many pets who we know must have come from loving homes – they are friendly, affectionate and have had training.
Sadly, without a microchip, we have no way of reuniting them with their owners, so we find them new loving homes instead.
Once your pet has been microchipped, it is a permanent form of identification. If the details on the chip are kept up to date, you can always be contacted if your pet goes missing. If your pet isn’t microchipped, we recommend that you make an appointment with your vet to have your pet microchipped.
It really is the best way to ensure they can be returned to you if they ever get lost.
Will a microchip hurt my pet?
Microchipping is a quick, safe and simple procedure, however it will cause a moment of discomfort for your pet. Some puppies and kittens may flinch or vocalise during the procedure. The momentary discomfort they feel when they are microchipped is preferable to losing them forever.
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!
