All cats and dogs being registered with a Victorian local council for the first time must be microchipped. This applies to pets aged three months and over.

Microchipping involves inserting a small computer chip under a pet’s skin that can be ‘read’ by a scanner, in order to retrieve the contact details of the pet’s owner. This can be done by a vet or at a Council microchipping day.

The most important aspect of microchipping is that it could literally save your pet’s life. Each year tens of thousands of impounded pets in Victoria cannot be identified. This means that many animal shelters are forced to euthanise lost pets because they can’t be reunited with their owners.

Microchipping gives owners confidence that their pets will end up in the pound if lost, or be taken to a vet clinic if injured.

There are a range of other benefits with compulsory microchip identification e.g problem pets, such as vicious dogs that attack people, can be easily identified.

Once your animal is microchipped, make sure you update the information on the microchip registry if you move house or your contact details change.

Discounted microchipping is available at this year's Pet Expo being held on Saturday 5 May at the San Remo Foreshore Reserve.  No appointments necessary.

For more information, contact our Community Safety Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).