Microchipping

By: Responsible Group Australia Posted Sept. 15, 2023

If you are considering buying or adopting a dog in Australia, you will eventually come across the term “microchipping”. Microchipping is a legal requirement to breed or own a dog in most Australian States and Territories, so it’s a good idea to learn about what microchipping is and how it benefits both dog owners and their dogs.

RPBA expects all its members to adhere to state and local legislation regarding the care and raising of their animals, and part of that is having their dogs microchipped.

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

What Is Microchipping for Dogs?

Microchipping is an easy method to permanently identify your furry friend and assist in reuniting them with you if they happen to go missing.

The concept of microchip technology originated in the mid 1980s. The initial commercial chips became accessible in the early 1990s. Nowadays microchips are commonly utilised worldwide for identification purposes.

When it comes to dog microchipping, a biocompatible cylinder, comparable in size to a grain of rice is implanted under your dogs skin between their shoulder blades using a hypodermic needle.

Contained within the cylinder is a unique identification number encoded on a microchip that can be detected by a scanner. Upon scanning the chip it emits a frequency that can be interpreted by the scanner.

In case your pet is discovered the shelter or veterinarian conducting the scan can retrieve your information, as the owner by referencing the chips number in a state database.

How Is a Microchip Implanted?

Getting your dog microchipped is an relatively painless procedure. It only takes a few seconds to insert the chip under your pets skin using a needle and there shouldn’t be any discomfort or long term effects.

Most dogs don’t even seem to notice when its done and the entire process can be completed during a visit to the vet.

Your dog might need to avoid play for a couple of days after getting microchipped to prevent it from coming out but this is usually determined case, by case.

Why Is it Important to Microchip Your Dog?

If your furry friend ever wanders off or is taken away having them microchipped significantly boosts the odds of them being identified and safely brought back home – dogs with microchips are more than as likely to be reunited with their families compared to those without chips.

Moreover many shelters and animal rescue organizations routinely scan arrived animals for microchips to help reunite them with their loved ones.

The unique identifier stored in your dogs microchip cannot be. Lost like traditional ID tags or tattoos on their skin. A microchip also requires no care or upkeep – it simply remains in place until it needs to be scanned.

Microchips can also come in handy if theres ever a dispute, over your dogs ownership providing you with a way to confirm that your four legged pal truly belongs to you.

Where Can You Have Your Dog Microchipped?

The effective way to get your dog microchipped is by visiting a vet or animal clinic. It’s an affordable process typically ranging from $40 to $60.

After the chip is implanted it’s important to register yourself as the dogs owner to ensure that all necessary information is properly stored in the database and linked to your pets ID number. This usually involves completing some paperwork.

Additionally it’s crucial to keep your records updated by notifying the registry of any changes, such as address modifications or medical updates. This ensures that accurate contact information is readily available, in case someone needs to reach you regarding your dog.

Do I Need to Have my Dog Microchipped?

The rules and regulations will differ for each State and Territory in Australia, and may change with no prior warning. We encourage you to contact your local council for more detailed information regarding your area.

The information presented below is current as of the posting of this article. Dog microchipping is mandatory in the following Australian States and Territories:

State	Mandatory?	Notes
NSW	Yes	In NSW, all dogs, other than exempt dogs, must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.
QLD	Yes	In QLD, all dogs between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be implanted with a microchip.
SA	Yes	In SA, all dogs 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 dog, whichever happens first.
WA	Yes	In WA, all dogs must be microchipped once they are over 12 weeks of age.
TAS	Yes	In TAS, all dogs must be microchipped by 6 months of age.
NT	No	N/A
ACT	Yes	In ACT, all dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.

All our registered breeders must follow the RPBA Code of Ethics as well as all state and local legislation to ensure the best standard of care for their pets. If you are interested in becoming a RPBA breeder, click here.

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