Microchipping is a permanent form of identification for your cat. It not only identifies your cat for life, but it can save your cat’s life.
Inserting a microchip is like a vaccination, it only takes a few seconds. The procedure is very safe and your cat will feel little pain.
The microchip itself is very small – less than the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades at the back of your cat’s neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner.
The microchip number is recorded on an Australian wide database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should your cat stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your cat for a microchip and contact you via the database.
Microchipping in the NT
Microchipping for cats and dogs is mandatory in ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC and WA. Microchipping for dogs only is compulsory in TAS.
For Darwin residents, it is compulsory that all dogs and cats have been implanted with a microchip as part of the animal’s registration requirements according to Council’s Animal Management By-Laws.
Cats do not need to be registered or microchiped in Palmerston.
It is also a good idea to microchip all other pet animal including birds, snakes, turtles…
On the move?
Did you move houses? Please update your microchip details.
If you are unsure of the microchip number, simply take your animal to any local vet to obtain the microchip number by using a microchip scanner. The microchip number will either be ten (10) digits or fifteen (15) digits long.
Log onto www.petaddress.com.au and enter the microchip number, this search engine will help locate the database that your pet’s microchip is linked to.
Reunited thanks to microchips
Castaway Cat – NT News May 2015 “Darwin cat found in Brisbane”
Alice Springs Cat – ABC News 2016 “Reunited after 18 month”
