What is Microchipping?
Microchipping is a fantastic idea as it provides permanent, discrete identification of an animal, and enables a lost and/or injured animal to be quickly reunited with their owners. For this reason, we would
recommend that both dogs and cats be microchipped.
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and each chip has a unique number. It is inserted between the shoulder blades using a moderate size needle, and for most animals it stings no more than a vaccination or other injection as we use local anaesthetic to numb the area. After it is implanted the number is entered into our database, the local council database and on to the New Zealand Companion Animal Register Database if you require, which costs only $15 for the lifelong registration of your pet.
What happens if your pet gets lost
If your pet is ever lost, an animal control officer or vet can scan your pet for the microchip and access your contact details. For those who regularly travel out of their area and take their pet with them, it is a good idea to register with the New Zealand Companion Animal Database. This means if your pet is lost while on holiday, they can be scanned for a microchip and returned to you.
The only way that you may not become reunited with your lost pet is if you don't contact the register when you have changed your address or contact phone numbers.
If you change address or telephone number, it is your responsibility to
contact the Registry and update your contact details.
Why pet tags aren't sufficient on their own
Collars can fall off or be removed & details on pet tags can fade or become outdated. Ownership of your pet can be challenged if your pet has been stolen & then later recovered. Microchipping is the only way you can prove ownership of your pet.
Have your pet microchipped
Microchips can be inserted at Veterinary clinics. Please contact us for more detail on the process and prices.