Microchipping
Why is it important to ensure my pet is microchipped?
The Companion Animals Act sets out the rules for pet ownership in NSW. This includes the requirement for dogs and cats to be microchipped.
It is very important to ensure your pet cat or dog is microchipped because if your pet cat or dog becomes lost, you are far more likely to be reunited if they are microchipped.
A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification.
The microchip number is recorded onto the NSW Pet Registry with all details about the animal and their owner. Should your pet wander or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database information.
It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that if you move house or change your phone number you will still be contactable in the event of your pet becoming lost/straying.
If a pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must ensure their contact details are recorded on the database.
FAQ 1
Is microchipping my pet cat or dog compulsory?
In New South Wales microchipping is mandatory for cats and dogs. Ideally your pet cat or dog should be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or prior to you purchasing or adopting your pet. This is the only way to effectively trace the origin of the cat/dog. However, if your pet is not yet microchipped then we recommend that you make an appointment with your Local vet to have your pet/s microchipped.
FAQ 2
Who do I contact if I need to change my contact details with my pet’s microchip registry database?
If you have a dog that is registered you have a responsibility to ensure that the information on the N.S.W. Companion Animal Register is kept up to date. Within fourteen days of moving or changing your contact details you should notify your old Council of the change. You also have a responsibility to notify the Register by contacting your new local council if your dog dies or goes missing.
There is no charge for notifying a change to the Companion Animals Register.