For many of us, our pets microchip is the last thing we think about… until we really need it like when our pet goes missing!
With storms and fireworks and all the loud, noisy things that come with this time of year, it is essential your pet is microchipped and that their details are up to date.
So what is a microchip? The purpose of microchips used for pets is to provide a form of permanent identification. These microchip implants are called radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. They are tiny, about the size of a large grain of rice, and are passive. This means that they passively store a unique identification number and do not actively transmit any information. The microchip implanted in your pet has no battery and no internal power source, so it sits inertly in the pet until it is read by a microchip scanner.
How does it help my pet? The microchip can be ‘read’ with a microchip scanner, which detects the specific electronic code embedded in the microchip. Once your pet is microchipped, we will register your pet along with your name and contact information with the appropriate agency. Lost & stray animals are often handed into vets or shelters who have access to microchip scanners and can look up the details registered to that pets microchip to reunite them with their owners.
Why should I microchip my pet? It is actually a legal requirement that all pets are microchipped. Microchips cannot be misread, and the identification number is tamper-proof. The information about the pet and owner is usually readily retrievable from the database. Registration fees with your local council are also cheaper if your pet is microchipped!
How can I check my pets microchip details are up to date? If you are unsure if your pets microchip details are current and have your correct contact phone number and address, there are a few options!
If you know which company your pets microchip is registered through, you can go to their website and update your details online.
If you do not know their microchip number or which company they are through, we can scan your pet in clinic and look up their microchip details to confirm which microchip company they are with.
From there we can provide the relevant website or hard copy forms to update your pets details.
We strongly advise ensuring your pet is microchipped and that their details are current, as if they get lost this may be the only way to safely get them back to you!
