Microchips and Registration
What’s the difference?
Registration means registering your pet’s information with the ACT government. Registration is only applicable for dogs and cats. There is a one-off payment to be made and you will receive annual reminders to confirm or update your information.
Microchipping is the implantation of a microchip which is registered with a unique 15-digit number and saved to a database accessible by any scanning centre (vet clinics, shelters etc.). The chip contains information on your pet and your contact details.
How do I register my pet?
Cat and dog registration can be done online. The cost is $57.55 ($20.70 for a pension or concession card holder). Cats born before July 1st 2022 can be registered for free until July 1st 2023. There is no cost for registering an assistance animal.
You will need to enter information about your pet, including breed, sex, desexing status, microchip number etc., as well as your information and contact details. This information will need to be confirmed or updated annually for no extra cost.
Why are microchips important?
As well as legal requirements for pets to have a collar and tag, all cats and dogs in the ACT are required to be microchipped from 12 weeks of age, although it is recommended to chip all eligible animals (including rabbits, certain birds, ferrets etc.). Inserting the silicon chip, which is approximately the size of a grain of rice, is a quick and safe procedure no more painful than a vaccination.
Microchips are the primary method for reuniting lost animals, as they provide permanent, accessible contact information for scanning centres such as vet clinics and animal shelters. An animal with a microchip is far more likely to be reunited with its owner than one without. Microchips can also provide proof of ownership of an animal, and they can assist in settling ownership disputes.
Microchips are implanted at a veterinary clinic for a relatively low cost, which usually includes the microchip company’s registration fee. Once registered a microchip only needs to be updated when details change, for example contact information, change of ownership or desexing status.
How do the microchip databases work?
There are five national and two state (NSW and SA) databases that a microchip may be registered to. The national databases are;
- Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)
- Central Animal Records (CAR)
- Homesafe ID
- Petsafe
- Global Micro Animal Registry
The Pet Address website will show which database (national only) a microchip is registered with, and provide a link to their website. Each database is slightly different but information can be viewed and updated online. If you are unsure of your pet’s microchip number you can call your vet as they usually keep this information on file. Alternatively you can take them in to any scanning centre which can give you the number and let you know which database it’s registered with.