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Last updated: 4 Oct, 2022
Published on: 4 Sep, 2013
Bring lost pets home: microchipping and registry
Dogs and cats are innately predisposed to wander and escape and can easily become lost if you are not overly vigilant. And even if you do everything to stop your pet from escaping, such as building well-secured fences and using strong leads and harnesses when walking, sometimes things can still go awry.
So, what can you do to give you and your family the best chance of locating your pet in the unfortunate circumstances that they become lost? The most effective thing you can do is to correctly identify your pet as your own.
This involves three things;
👉 ensuring your pet always has an identifying collar ID with your most up-to-date phone number on it,
👉 microchipping your pet,
👉 and registering your pet with the local council.
This enables pounds, veterinary clinics, shelters and even members of the public to identify your pet and contact you as soon as your animal is located.
ID Tag
There are a number of trendy solutions for creating an ID tag, but the important things to remember are; use an engraved tag or other permanent solution, handwritten information can be hard to read and can become smudged over time. Ensure the tag is firmly attached to your pet’s collar, flimsy keyrings can stretch and pull through. And make sure your details are always up to date, including your pet’s name and, most importantly, your phone number.
Additionally, some councils require you to have your address on your pet’s ID tag and may provide you with a registration tag that is required to be shown at all times.
Microchipping and registration
Although regulations vary amongst councils and states, most require you by law to microchip your pet by three months of age, register your pet by six months of age, and ensure your registration details are kept updated for the dog's life or cat. Only authorised microchip implanters are permitted to microchip pets. Vets, animal welfare organisations and some councils can assist you with microchipping. Learn more about microchip requirements.
📝 Statewise registration requirements
It is important to check with your local council what the specific registration requirements are for your state and local area, as they tend to vary. A guide for the state requirements can be found below, however, consulting your local council is still important.
| State | Age registration is required | Registration length |
| Western Australia | 3 months | 1 or 3 years and renewal by 1st November each year |
| South Australia | 3 months | 1 year and renewal by 1st July each year |
| New South Wales | 6 months(microchipped by 3 months) | Lifetime |
| Northern Territory | 3 months | 1 year, and renewal by 1st July each year, microchipped animals can be registered for their lifetime. |
| Queensland | 3 months | 1 year and renewal by 1st July each year |
| Victoria | 3 months | 1 year and renewal by 10th April each year |
| Tasmania | 6 months of age for both microchipping and registration | 1 year and renewal by 31st July |
| Australian Capital Territory | 8 weeks for both microchipping and registration | Lifetime |
💰Cost of microchipping and registration
The whole process of microchipping and registering your pet is relatively inexpensive. The cost of microchip implantation alone is roughly $40-$50 as an add-on to a consultation, and registration fees vary considerably between desexed and non-desexed animals, at roughly $40 compared to $150 respectively – a good incentive to de-sex your pets. Fees for concession holders are even less, with many councils offering free registration for your first pet.
If you fail to microchip and register your pet by six months of age, you can face a fine of $165, or up to $1,320 if you own a restricted breed.
But the most important reason to microchip and register your pet is if your dog or cat becomes lost, anyone with a microchip scanner (such as vet clinic, pound, shelter, and so on) can scan your pet’s microchip details, and access your contact details. This allows you to be easily found, and your pet quickly reunited with you.
Image: Murphy ~ a 5-year-old Kelpie mix who is on the lookout for his forever home and available for adoption via Wally's Dog Rescue.
