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Pet Information Blog - Microchips

All About Mircochipping Your Pets!!

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Having your pet microchipped is very important for a number of reasons!

                                                                  

Dogs are now legally required to be microchipped but cats, rabbits and other pets don't legally require a microchip. Cats & other pets should still be microchipped as this is the best way to find your pet if it becomes lost and someone finds it, if someone takes your cat/rabbit/dog to any vet clinic, shelter or animal rescue center the staff will be able to scan your pet to see if it has a microchip and if they do they will be able to contact you straight away for you to come and collect your animal. But if your animal was not microchipped they wouldn't have anyway to contact you. So in short it is a great idea for your piece of mind to microchip all your animal in case they ever becomes lost. 

There is also on the market 'Mirochip cat flaps' for your home, theses are great if you want to prevent unwanted cats coming into your homes to steal/eat your cats food. Also the cat flap has to be able to scan your cats microchip (between their shoulders) to be able to unlock the flap it means that the cat cannot have anything in front of it i.e a bird or mouse in its mouth, so this is also a great way to prevent unwanted wildlife & rodents in your homes.

We strongly recommend microchipping your pet cats & dogs. You can also chip other pets such as guinea pigs, rabbits, horses, even fish!

Ensure maximum protection against loss by using an ID tag as the first line of defence AND microchipping as well in case the ID tag falls off or is removed.

How big is the microchip?
The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice

Dogs that need to be microchipped are:

  • All dogs first registered from 1 July 2006, (except stock working farm dogs, which are exempt). These dogs will mainly be puppies when they are first registered at three months old.
  • All dogs classified as dangerous or menacing, since 1 December 2003 (dogs classified as dangerous before 1 December 2003 will not have to be microchipped).
  • Unregistered dogs that are impounded and released.
  • Registered dogs that are impounded for a second time and released.


How is it put in?
The microchip is administered via a syringe and largish needle, though not extraordinarily large.

Does it hurt, how long does it take?
For most dogs and cats, it only stings as much as any injection or vaccination does. Many vets will apply some local anesthetic cream first, and the procedure only takes a few seconds. It is the paperwork that takes some time, as each chip has a unique number, which is recorded on a robust and safe database, for Life.

Where can I get my pet microchipped?

Find you nearest NZ microchip implanter online, using google maps

To Check if your animal is already registered on the National Database:

http://www.animalregister.co.nz/CheckMicrochip.aspx

Will the chip move?

The risk of the Microchip moving, [migrating] is very low

How about Change of Ownership of a microchipped pet?

To register, or check or change address details on an existing microchip, go to the NZ Companion Animal Register website (NZCAR).

Do pounds and SPCA's have scanners?
All pounds and SPCA have scanners and most vets

Aren't microchips harder to read than ID tags/registration tags?
Microchips require the scanner to be passed closely over the animals shoulders. However, reading a registration or dog/cat tag requires even closer examination, and any dog/cat can be caught and scanned eventually. Collars and tags cannot be relied upon as they may be removed accidentally.

What is the cost?
Currently vets are charging around $45 to $80, often cheaper if your pet is already in the clinic for another procedure, eg desexing.

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