Pet microchipping

Keeping track of your pet every minute of the day is not always possible, and sometimes pets go astray. Microchipping is now compulsory in Victoria. Microchipping your pet is a great way to ensure that it is permanently identified as yours and makes it easy for your beloved pet to be returned to you. Collars and tags can be removed or fall off causing difficulties in returning lost or stolen pets to their owners.

You can have your pet microchipped by your local vet or most animal welfare organisations that have veterinary services, such as The Lost Dogs Home or RSPCA.

A small chip the size of a grain of rice is injected between an animal's shoulder blades, providing a permanent form of identification for your pet. Implanting a microchip is relatively pain free. Once in it is safe and painless. The cost of a microchip can vary depending on the vet you take your pet to. Some organisations offer reduced rates as a way to promote responsible pet ownership.

Council's animal management officers carry microchip scanners in their vehicles and can reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners. It is important to make sure the details on your pet's microchip are always kept up to date and as detailed as possible. Make changing your pet's microchip details a priority if you change your address. You can do this by contacting Central Animal Records.

Be sure to include your current mobile phone number and work phone numbers and the number of a friend as often animals are found during working hours. This means that if your pet gets out of your yard or becomes lost they have the greatest chance of being returned to you in the shortest period of time with the least amount of stress for both you and your pet.