Microchips provide a permanent and reliable method for reuniting lost, stolen, or stray animals with their pet owners, offering a level of security that cannot be matched!
What is a Pet Microchip?
Pet microchips are a tiny electronic device (transponder), about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted just under the tissue, usually between the shoulder blades. The pet chip is encased in a safe, biocompatible glass and is designed to last for your pet’s entire life.
All microchips implanted contain a unique identification number. It is not a GPS tracking device; it is a passive chip that holds no battery or internal power source. When a pet scanner from a veterinary clinic, council pound, or animal shelter is passed over the pet’s skin, the scanner’s radio waves activate the chip, which then transmits its unique number to the scanner’s screen.
Why is Microchipping So Important?
Pets microchipped are the single most effective way to ensure a lost pet is returned home.
- Permanent Identification: Unlike collars and tags, implanted chips provide a permanent ID that cannot be lost or removed.
- Proof of Ownership: A microchip registered with your details serves as legal proof that you are the pet’s owner.
- Fast Reunions: Vets and shelters across Australia scan all stray animals upon arrival. This system allows them to quickly identify the owner’s contact details and facilitate a speedy and safe reunion.
IMPORTANT: A microchip is only as good as the information linked to it. Ensure you have the correct microchip details recorded. If you move house or change your phone number, you must update your contact details with the pet registry service.
Microchip Implantation Procedure
The microchip implantation is a standardized and routine clinical procedure. The process of implanting a microchip is simple, safe, and very quick.
- The Implant: The microchip is injected under the skin using a sterile needle. The procedure is comparable to a routine vaccination and, while the needle is slightly larger, most pets show little to no reaction.
- No Anaesthetic Required: The process is so fast that no anaesthetic or sedation is needed.
- Timing: A microchip can be implanted during any standard veterinary consultation. Many owners choose to have it done at the same time as desexing surgery while their pet is already under general anaesthetic, ensuring they feel nothing at all.
- Registration: Immediately after the procedure, our clinic staff will guide you through completing the paperwork to register the chip’s unique number with your contact details on a national pet registry.
Effectiveness of Microchipping in Pet Recovery
Having a microchip dramatically increases the chances of an animal being reunited with its owner. For cats, the presence of a chip increases the likelihood of return by a factor of more than 12
Pet Reclaim Rates: A Comparison of Microchipped vs. Non-Microchipped Animals (RSPCA QLD Data, 2015)
| Species | Reclaim Rate (Microchipped with Accurate Data) | Reclaim Rate (Microchipped with Data Problems) | Reclaim Rate (Not Microchipped) |
| Dogs | 87% | 69% | 37% |
| Cats | 61% | 33% | 5% |
Microchipping Recommendations for Pet Owners
- Register Immediately and Verify: Do not delay. Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered with a licensed animal registry service on the same day it is implanted. When you receive the registration certificate, verify that every detail—your name, address, and phone numbers—is 100% correct.
- Maintain Data Hygiene: Your microchip registration is a living document. Create a recurring annual reminder to log in to your registry’s website to confirm your details are still current. Update your information immediately if you move or change your primary contact number.
- Execute the Ownership Transfer: If you must rehome your pet, you retain the responsibility to ensure the microchip ownership transfer is completed. Work proactively with the new owner to submit the required forms or complete the online process. Do not assume the new owner will handle it.
- Request an Annual Scan: During your pet’s annual Armidale veterinary check-up, ask the veterinary staff to perform a quick scan of the microchip. This simple action confirms the chip is still functioning correctly and has not migrated to an unusual location.
