It’s been brought to our attention that some rescue groups have been deliberately listing incorrect microchip numbers on their PetRescue listings.

PetRescue has been contacted by the Victorian government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), as well as a number of rescue groups, in regards to this issue.

Listing a pet’s genuine microchip details is a legal requirement of dog and cat sales and adoptions in the state of Victoria.

It is an offence to advertise the sale or adoption of a cat or dog without this number. Rescue groups may be fined almost $600 PER LISTING, should the Department seek to pursue this further.

We have already invested resources in making changes to the microchipping field on pet listings to limit this practice - time and money that could surely have been better spent on positive initiatives to help rescue pets.

The Department has suggested that we add a notice on each pet listing advising potential adopters to double-check that the microchip number listed is genuine, but we feel this unfairly casts doubt on the majority of reputable rescue organisations doing the right thing by rescue pets.

To be the best voice for rescue pets, we all need to conduct ourselves professionally. It’s crucial we uphold the public’s trust in rescue as an ethical choice for pet seekers - rescue pets are counting on us for this.

As such, any rescue group found to be deliberately listing false numbers will be suspended from PetRescue membership.

For more information on microchipping requirements in Victoria, please refer to the Victorian State Government website.

If you have any queries regarding this issue, please contact members@petrescue.org.au.