Getting you & your pet back together

Ever come home to find your fur pal missing? Gone on a walk and “Scruff” has chased a water dragon miles away and not come back when you called? A visitor or delivery man left the gate open and “Pixie” disappeared? Got a pet that acts like he’s “The Midnight Wrangler” and roams the neighbourhood?

In Queensland, it’s law that all dogs and cats older than 12 weeks old be microchipped before being sold/given to a new owner. There are thousands of dogs and cats that go missing every year. A microchip can’t fall off like tags on collars do, which means that if someone finds your pet and gets it checked by a vet, the RSPCA or the Brisbane City Council, they can scan your pet, find your pet’s unique microchip number and get you and your four-legged friend back together again ASAP.

 

How does a microchip work?

A microchip is a grain-sized chip that is inserted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. When a scanner passes over that area of the pet’s body, it is able to pick up the identifying number. This unique number is linked on the registry to your contact details. Vets, the RSPCA and the Brisbane City Council have microchip readers that are able to pick-up your pet’s microchip number.

 

What about the details linked with the microchip number?

Microchips are inserted by Authorised Implanters (usually your vet). Owner’s details are registered with the associated registry and owners should receive a confirmation of registration from the registry within 6 weeks. If you don’t receive a letter, you need to contact the implanter and registry to confirm your details and your pet’s information. And remember that it’s very important to keep your details up-to-date so that if you move, change your telephone number or there is a change of ownership of the pet, you are able to be contacted should your fluff-ball go missing.

IMG_0408

Does it hurt to have a microchip implanted?

Essentially, implanting a microchip is like giving an injection with a big needle. It generally does not cause too much discomfort to patients and because cats and dogs have a lot more loose skin in the area between their shoulder blades, some of them hardly feel it at all. Sometimes pets will have microchips implanted when they are under general anaesthesia for another procedure – in this case, they would be completely unaware!

 

So, should my pet have a microchip implanted?

Short answer: Absolutely! It’s the most likely tool we have to successfully reunite pets and their owners. Secondly, it’s the law.

 

If you’d like more information getting your pet microchipped or would like to book an appointment, please give us a call on 0481 527 678 or click here to request an appointment online. We’ll be happy to help!