Microchipping, and the half most owners forget
The chip is the easy part. The registry details behind it are what reunite a lost pet with its household, and they go out of date every time somebody moves house or changes a number.
60seconds for the implant itself
What happens
The implant
Between the shoulder blades, through a needle, awake, in about a minute. Most animals react to it about as much as they react to a vaccination.
Registering it properly
We lodge the number with the registry on the day and email you the confirmation. A chip whose registration has lapsed is a number nobody can trace.
The yearly scan
We scan every microchipped pet at its annual check, read the number back and confirm the registry still holds it. Chips migrate, and occasionally they fail.
Only on this page
Which registry holds your pet, and how to change your details
Australia has several registries and a chip sits on one of them. Start with the number, then use a lookup to find the registry holding it. All four below take an owner update online, and all four are free to change.
| Registry | Covers | To change your details | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Animal Records | National, common in WA | Online form with the chip number and your existing email | Same day |
| Australasian Animal Registry | National, common through vets | Online, or a signed transfer form for a change of owner | 1 to 2 days |
| PetSafe | National | Phone or online, with the chip number and postcode | Same day |
| Global Micro | National | Online account, holds several pets together | Same day |
In Western Australia a dog or cat must be microchipped and the registry details kept current. Your local council holds a separate registration, and updating one leaves the other unchanged.
Where you can get this
6 of our six hospitals, because the equipment and the people it needs live in those buildings.
What it costs
From $65implant
Included at no charge when it is done during a desexing anaesthetic.
All consult feesQuestions we get asked
Does it hurt?
The needle is wider than a vaccination needle, so most pets feel it for a second or two. Puppies usually eat a treat through it.
My pet is chipped but I have moved. What do I do?
Bring the pet in or call us with the number. We will tell you which registry holds it and send you the link to update the address, which takes about two minutes.
Does a chip track my pet?
It holds a number and nothing else. There is no battery, no GPS and no signal, and it can only be read by a scanner held against the animal.
Can it be done without an anaesthetic?
Yes, and it usually is. Rabbits, birds and very small or anxious animals are the exception, and we often pair it with another procedure for those.
Book microchipping
Available at Fremantle, Subiaco, Joondalup, Midland, Canning Vale, Rockingham.