MICROCHIPPING

What is it a Pet Microchip?

A microchip is a small integrated circuit used for identification. When scanned it reveals a unique number which a vet clinic or animal facility can use to access further information on a registry to identify the pet and owner details.

How does it work?

The microchip is inserted under the skin of the pet between the shoulder blades using a microchip applicator.

Once it is inserted the unique number is registered to a microchip registry using the owner and pet details.

As things change, specifically your address and phone number, these details will need to be updated so it’s important to check which registry they have been registered too as they all have slightly different ways of updating information.

How much a Pet Identification Microchip cost?

Prices may vary from clinic to clinic. Here at Newstead Vets in Brisbane our microchips are $70 which includes implantation and registration.

Does it hurt?

The application of the chip can be a sharp small pain as it is inserted using a needle. However, once implanted the chip itself is painless.

Over the course of your pet’s lifetime they only require one microchip so the process does not need to be repeated.

Fun Facts

• A microchip is almost the same size of a grain of rice and on an x-ray it looks like one! To the right we have compared the size of a microchip with a 5 cent coin.

• A microchip is not a GPS. Unfortunately, if your pet does get lost we cannot track them via the microchip.

• Microchips have existed since 1989 and were established in the UK before becoming popular in other countries.

• According to research approximately 11-15% of dogs and 12-18% of cats will go missing in a 5 year period. Identification tags (collars) and microchips can be essential in returning pets to their homes.

• All Queensland registries can be accessed by any Veterinary Clinic in Queensland.

• Microchips are designed to last for approximately 25 years!