Microchipping

Microchipping is a permanent way to identify your dog. It's an electronic chip, containing a unique number giving access to identification details about you and your dog. If your pet is lost, taken to a pound or veterinary clinic, or is stolen, he or she can be identified by scanning, and you can be alerted. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is painlessly implanted by via an injection under your puppy’s skin, between the shoulder blades.

Unlike a collar and tag, a microchip can’t fall off. So if your puppy gets lost without its collar, this may be the only way to ensure its safe return to you. Microchipping is required by law in most states across Australia for all puppies and kittens before they turn 12 weeks old. Your puppy must then be registered with your local council.

Microchipping laws vary from state to state and, in some states, from one council area to another. Below is a summary of each state law. For further information, please contact your local vet or council.

NSW:

• Dogs must be implanted with a microchip by 12 weeks of age, at point of sale or change of ownership (whichever occurs first).
• Then dog owner must register pet with their local council by 6 months of age

VIC:

• All dogs three months of age and over must be registered with the local council
• Puppies must be microchipped prior to registration
• Dogs that are sold or given away from pet shops, commercial breeders and pounds or shelters must be microchipped prior to going to their new home

QLD:

• All local governments must introduce microchipping by Dec 2010
• Puppies sold or given away in Queensland must be microchipped
• Puppies must be microchipped before 12 weeks of age and registered with local council

ACT:

• All dogs to be microchipped and registered by 12 weeks of age
• A tag is issued when the dog is registered and this must be worn on the dog’s collar

SA:

• Microchipping is not compulsory
• All dogs over 3 months of age must be registered with the local council
• A registration tag is issued at the time of registration and this must be worn by the dog.

WA:

• Microchipping is not compulsory
• All dogs over 3 months of age must be registered with the local council
• A registration tag is issued at the time of registration and this must be worn by the dog

NT:

• Microchipping and registration requirements vary from council to council