Cat Microchipping

By: Responsible Group Australia

What Is Cat Microchipping?

Cat microchipping involves implanting a small transponder chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a cat, typically between the shoulder blades.

This chip harbours vital information about your cat and who their owner is, and if scanned by a veterinarian or rescue centre, can help reunite you with your pet should you ever become separated.

Cat microchipping serves as a vital component of cat ownership. It effectively safeguards cats, protecting them from misfortune and ensuring their safety.

In Australia, it’s generally mandated that all cats undergo microchipping to facilitate their identification in instances of loss or theft.

RPBA mandates its registered cat breeders to adhere to all state and local legislation and to uphold our rigorous Code of Ethics. Purchase your cat from an RPBA breeder and champion responsible cat breeding.

This article contains general information. Always consult with your veterinarian for medical advice specific to your animal/s.

Why Is Cat Microchipping Important in Australia?

In most Australian States and Territories, it is advisable to microchip all cats to guard against theft and guarantee their swift recovery if they stray from their owners.

Moreover, the Australian government obliges all cats marketed for sale in pet shops or animal shelters to be microchipped prior to adoption.

This measure thwarts illegal breeding practices by ensuring that each cat can be pinpointed by its unique microchip number.

The advantages of having your cat microchipped extend well beyond mere tracking if they disappear; it also shields them from harm or mistreatment.

By confirming ownership through the microchip data stored on the chip, it becomes significantly challenging for anyone to abscond with or unlawfully claim your pet without your consent.

How Does Cat Microchipping Work?

The procedure to microchip your cat typically spans no more than 15 minutes and is executable at most veterinary clinics across Australia.

During this procedure, a transponder chip in injectable form is positioned beneath your cat’s neck skin using a needle similar in size to those employed for vaccinations.

Once embedded beneath the skin’s surface, the chip remains largely imperceptible, yet capable of interacting with a specialised scanner available at most veterinarian offices and animal shelters.

After implanting the chip, you must register the embedded details with a statewide database. This registration ensures that when someone scans your pet’s chip, they can identify the owner and contact you effectively.

You might have the option to register your cat’s chip with additional databases, depending on the chip. Ensure that you update all pertinent information regularly; this includes changes in address or phone numbers.

Do I Need to Have my Cat Microchipped?

The stipulations vary across each State and Territory in Australia and may alter without prior notification. We advise you to consult your local council for precise information about your area.

State	Mandatory?	Notes
NSW	Yes	In NSW, all cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.
VIC	Yes	In VIC, all cats registered with a Victorian local council for the first time must be microchipped before registration, which is compulsory once the animal is 12 weeks of age.
QLD	Yes	In QLD, all cats between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be implanted with a microchip, unless there is a reasonable excuse.
SA	Yes	In SA, all cats must be microchipped before they are sold, before they reach 12 weeks of age, or within 28 days of an owner taking possession of the cat, whichever happens first.
WA	Yes	In WA, all cats must be microchipped prior to transfer or sale and by 6 months of age.
TAS	Yes	In TAS, all cats must be microchipped by 6 months of age.
NT	No	N/A
ACT	Yes	In ACT, all cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.