What Is A Microchip?

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, which is inserted beneath the skin between the shoulders. Inside the chip is a number which can be read by scanners, and this number is linked to your contact details.

What Are The Advantages Of Microchipping?

Microchipping is a permanent form of identification, and is a very important method of being able to locate the owner if an animal goes missing. For this reason, it is very important that you register your pet with council, so that you can be easily contacted if your pet wanders away from home.

Does My Pet Need To Be Micrichipped?

Yes. By law, all puppies and kittens need to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or at the time of sale, whichever is earliest. Adult dogs also need to be microchipped by law, and must also be identified with a collar and tag.

How Do I Get My Pet Microchipped?

• All you need to do is ring the clinic and book an appointment time. Part of the microchipping procedure involves the owner filling out address and telephone contact details, and ensuring that the animal's details are correct.
• We will then issue you with a copy of the paperwork, which you will then need to take to council, in order to get your pet registered for life. The council will put your pet's details onto the NSW Companion Animals Register, so that you can be contacted if your pet is found.
• Your privacy is protected by the Registry as it can only be accessed by authorized people, and is not linked to any other database.

What Is The Cost Of Lifetime Registration?

• The cost of registration depends on whether your pet is desexed or not.
• For a desexed cat or dog, lifetime registration is $40, or $15 for a pensioner. The cost of an undesexed pet is $150.
• Cats and dogs need to be registered with council by the time they are six months of age. It is therefore best to get your pet desexed at 6 months of age, so that you can the register him/her by the time he/she is six months of age.

What Do I Do If I Have A New Puppy?

• Microchip and vaccinate your puppy at six weeks of age.
• Keep your microchip paperwork in a safe, handy place.
• If you are not going to desex your pet take your paperwork to council and register him/her now.
• At 6 months of age phone the clinic and arrange for your pet to be desexed. Upon discharge the vet will give you a certificate to state that your pet has been desexed.
• Take the microchip paperwork and certificate to council and register your pet. This lifetime registration fee is cheaper that for a non desexed animal.

What Do I Do If I Buy A Pet That Is Already Microchipped?

• You MUST fill in and sign a Change of Ownership form at the time of purchase. The form includes the old owners details and signature, as well as your details. This paperwork is filled out in triplicate:
  
  • Yellow Copy - goes to Council
  • Pink copy - kept by the new owner
  • White copy - kept by the old owner
• Once Council receives this yellow copy, the animal will be changed into your details and you will receive a certificate from Council confirming the details.
• Take the pink microchip paperwork to Council and check all details are correct and pay the registration fee if it is not already paid by the previous owner.
• If you could like to know more about the Companion Animals Act please contact Penrith City Council on 02 4732 7543 or call in at the Information Services Counter in the Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith.