Microchipping is another method of identifying pets other than collars and tags which can be lost or removed. A microchip is permanent and providing it meets the required standards and has been inserted correctly it will function for the life of your pet.
Dog and cat microchipping was introduced for two main reasons. It enables a pet to be linked to its owner, so if it is stolen or lost, the pet owner can be reunited. It can also identify a dog which has been aggressive and classified as dangerous or menacing.
When any pet is found injured or lost and taken to vet or a welfare agency such as the SPCA, it is scanned, and if microchipped it can speedily be restored to its owner.
A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted under the skin of the neck.
The microchip has a unique number that can be scanned by a reader, similar to a barcode reader. This number is recorded in our database.
You will need to register it at your local Council on the National Dog Database (NDD) and it can be registered on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR).
Placing a microchip is a common procedure and is safe for your animal.
We strongly recommend that your animal is microchipped by YourPetVet to ensure the micro-chip is located and implanted properly and to minimise the risk of infections or microchip migration.
Since 1 July 2006, all dogs registered in New Zealand for the first time (except farm dogs used for stock control) must be micro-chipped and registered with your local council. This applies mainly to puppies when they are first registered at three months old.
Dog microchipping is a MUST in the following circumstances:
As microchipping has become more common place on the register which is designed specifically to make the recovery of lost pets easier (compared to the NDD who is primarily interested in dog control) by ensuring that anyone can quickly check to see that their microchip number is on the database.
This service is available for a small fee and is an additional measure you can use to track your pet should they go missing.
Personal details can be updated by the owner at any time for no additional cost.
The cost of microchipping is small compared to the stress of being unable to find your lost cat or dog, and the fact that they are in danger being displaced, cold and hungry.
Cats are more commonly lost and harder to find than their canine counterparts. They are also more likely to be hit on the road and presented to SPCA, Council and of course the nearest veterinary clinic for treatment.
Microchipping cats can help in the event of an accident. If an owner can be contacted immediately then treatment for the patient can be quickly started without any undue delay.
Cats that have been FIV (Feline AIDs) vaccinated should also be microchipped. This is because, in the event they are picked up as strays and FIV tested, they will test as positive. The FIV test is unable to distinguish between an infected animal or an animal that has been vaccinated.
To prevent your vaccinated cat from being euthanased as an FIV infected stray – the presence of a microchip will prevent this from happening as the owners and the cat’s vaccination history will easily be looked up once the microchip has been scanned, via the NZCAR database.
Simply contact us, together with your specific question and we will respond confidentially by return email to you.
