A microchip is the most reliable and easy form of permanent identification in companion animals. The system has been in use around the world for many years, but only experienced increased popularity over the past 10 years, as technology standards and management systems have improved.
In Victoria, as of May 2007, all dogs and cats applying for a new registration at a local council have to be microchipped. This new requirement predominantly affects older pets as owners move from one council to another (puppies and kittens are already required to be registered and microchipped from 3 months of age).
Microchipping companion animals is now regulated by law. Registered implanters (most of whom are veterinarians) can only implant a prescribed chip at the prescribed location on the pet's body.
Registry operations and record keeping is also strictly prescribed.
Gone are the old days, when Victoria had several different types of microchips registered with inappropriate, uncomplying registries.
The new laws require that scanners read all microchips and registries must communicate between themselves to facilitate the speedy reunion of lost pets with their owners.
One telephone call to a registry with a microchip number should yield the appropriate ownership details to the authorised implanter within minutes.
Regardless of the legal requirements, we believe that permanently identifying your pet with a microchip is the most responsible action to take when buying a new pet. Vaccinations, worming and desexing are considered the basic essentials of pet care but are of no value should your pet stray from home and become lost.
Of the millions of dogs and cats that have had microchips implanted, a negligible number (less than 0.1%) of animals have developed side effects. Side effects can include foreign body reactions, abscesses and breakage of the chip.
Contrary to rumours currently spreading in our community, microchips do not cause cancer to dogs or cats. We are not aware of any scientific review that documents any relationship between microchips and cancer.
We highly recommend all dogs and cats to be microchipped and all of our veterinarians have undertaken and passed their assessment of the microchip implanter course and are authorised by Bureau of Animal Welfare to microchip dogs and cats.