Do I Need to Microchip My Dog in Australia?
If you own a dog in Australia, you may be wondering if it’s necessary to microchip your pet. The answer is yes. In fact, it’s the law in all Australian states and territories for all dogs over the age of 12 weeks to be microchipped.
The Law in Australia
As mentioned in the introduction, the law requires that all dogs must be implanted with a microchip by the time they are 12 weeks old. This allows for easy identification of the dog in case it becomes lost or stolen. The purpose of this law is to reduce pet theft and help reunite owners with their pets if they become separated.
When your dog is microchipped, it’s important to keep the details up-to-date, including the owner’s contact information. If you move house or change your phone number, make sure to update your pet’s microchip details as soon as possible. This ensures that if your pet ever goes missing, anyone who finds them will be able to contact you quickly and efficiently.
Why Does the Law Exist?
The main reason behind this law is to help ensure lost or stolen pets are reunited with their owners as quickly and easily as possible. It can be difficult and expensive to try to reunite a lost pet with their owner without a microchip, as it requires a lot of detective work by the finder, such as posting ads and putting up signs in the neighbourhood. With a microchip, a quick scan of the chip can reveal the pet’s identity and allow them to be returned quickly.
The law also helps to reduce the number of stray pets in Australia, as it makes sure that pets are always identifiable and can be quickly returned to their owners.
How Does the Microchipping Process Work?
If you’re worried about your canine friend, the good news is that the process is simple and doesn’t take very long. All you need to do is find a vet who can insert the chip, then register your pet’s information on a national database. Once the chip is implanted, your pet’s identity will always be linked to you in the national database.
The chip itself is the size of a grain of rice and it’s inserted under your pet’s skin between their shoulder blades. The chip has a unique ID number that’s linked to the national database, so if your pet ever gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, the number can be scanned to identify them. Animal Tracks veterinary clinic and pet boarding is an example of a leading company offering this service.
Veterinarians will implant the chip by using a special syringe, and the procedure is quick and painless. It’s also important to make sure the chip is properly registered with your contact information and that you keep the details up to date.
What Happens If Your Dog Isn’t Microchipped?
In Australia, it is compulsory to have your dog microchipped by the age of 12 weeks. If owners fail to comply with this law, they may be subject to a hefty fine. For example, in Victoria, the fine for failing to microchip a dog can be in the thousands.
Additionally, pet owners are encouraged to have their pets microchipped even if it is not just to follow the law. What if your little friend has gone missing? If they are microchipped, it is much easier to track them down and return them to you!
