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Why is it important to microchip your pet?

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 your pet isn’t microchipped, it significantly reduces your chance of being reunited with your pet if they are lost. 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 can be 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 chance of being reunited with them is 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, that will only cause a moment of discomfort for your pet. You can also get your pet microchipped at the same time as getting them desexed. In this instance, your pet will be under anaesthesia so they won't feel a thing!

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!

Find out more

Animal Welfare League

Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc (AWL) brings together lost and abandoned pets and caring humans to create happy homes where everyone feels loved.

Contact
Animal Care Centre
1-19 Cormack Road,
Wingfield SA 5013
10am - 3pm
Tuesday - Sunday

Edinburgh North Shelter
4 Hewittson Road
Edinburgh North SA 5113
10am - 3pm
Tuesday - Sunday
P: 08 8348 1300
E: support@awl.org.au
Pet adoption
Cat adoption
Dog adoption
Rabbit adoption
Frequently asked questions
Find a vet
Help us help animals
Donate online
Sponsor a pet
Donate items
Leave a legacy to animals in need
Do your own fundraising
Buy lottery tickets
Volunteer with our team
Become a foster carer
Animal welfare education
Pet boarding
Make an enquiry
Cat boarding
Dog boarding
Boarding services menu
House rules
Pet daycations
Terms and conditions
Pet cremations
Make an enquiry
Remembering your pet
Bringing them home
Equine cremation
Volunteer with our team
Frequently asked questions
Find a vet
Op shops
Our locations
Donate items
Volunteer with our team
I've lost my pet
Hints and tips
Submit a lost pet report
List of found pets
List of pets found by councils
Lost pets noticeboard
I've found an animal
Lost pets noticeboard
I've found a cat
I've found a dog
Rehome my pet
Rehome your cat
Rehome your dog
Rehome your rabbit
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08 8348 1300
support@awl.org.au
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