MANDATORY MICROCHIPPING HAS ARRIVED June09
Recently the Moreton Bay Regional Council has implemented new laws stating that as of July 1 all dogs and cats must be implanted with microchips for identification. Similar laws have already existed in NSW for some time. There certainly is an already increasing population of dogs carrying this permanent form of identification in Dayboro, but our feline friends are rarely microchipped.
Anyone who has ever had a pet go missing will understand what a stressful experience it is. As a veterinary clinic, we get several animals (mostly dogs) each week brought in by a concerned member of the public. The stray animals are often distressed, and sometimes injured. Typically many have lost their collars and id tags, and if no microchip is found, we are very limited as to what we can do. All veterinarians are permitted to do is administer first aid and relieve pain, and wait for the owners to contact us. This can be a very difficult situation, as most injuries are best treated straight away, but if no owner is found, we can’t get permission to do so. Similarly, animals can be found sometimes a fair distance away from their home and placed in pound facilities where, unfortunately, they will be euthanased if no owner is found within a certain time frame.
Microchipping is a very simple procedure, which can guarantee the quick and easy return of your pet, should they ever go missing. Microchips are a form of permanent identification, about the size of a grain of rice, and inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades with a needle. This simple procedure can be done by your veterinarian, similar to a vaccination, only the needle is slightly larger. Some owners choose to have their pets microchipped while under anaesthesia, but it can be safely done even while the pet is awake. The details of the chip are then recorded with a permanent life-long registration, which is easily changed when you move house. Veterinarians, pounds, and animal shelters always scan all animals for a microchip, and when one is found, the owner’s details can be retrieved within minutes.
During the month of June, the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery is offering specials on microchipping for both cats and dogs to help owners comply with the council requirements. For more details, please call the surgery on 3425 2222.
Microchipping is a very simple procedure, which can guarantee the quick and easy return of your pet, should they ever go missing. Microchips are a form of permanent identification, about the size of a grain of rice, and inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades with a needle. This simple procedure can be done by your veterinarian, similar to a vaccination, only the needle is slightly larger. Some owners choose to have their pets microchipped while under anaesthesia, but it can be safely done even while the pet is awake. The details of the chip are then recorded with a permanent life-long registration, which is easily changed when you move house. Veterinarians, pounds, and animal shelters always scan all animals for a microchip, and when one is found, the owner’s details can be retrieved within minutes.
During the month of June, the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery is offering specials on microchipping for both cats and dogs to help owners comply with the council requirements. For more details, please call the surgery on 3425 2222.
