Microchipping Information & Resources
Mandatory microchipping
All dogs and cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or at the point of sale (which ever occurs first). This includes older animals born before 1 July 2018.
Veterinarians may exempt an animal for medical reasons.
Microchipping is the most effective form of permanent identification for your dog or cat.
All dog and cat microchip details must be recorded on Dogs and Cats Online
Owners have 24/7 access to Dogs and Cats Online and can update their details should they move, change phone number or their dog or cat becomes lost or deceased. There is no cost to enter or update microchip details on Dogs and Cats Online.
What is a microchip and how does it work
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip approximately the size of a rice grain which has a unique identification number. The microchip will last for the life of the animal and it is inserted under the skin at the back of the animals neck by a trained practitioner. The microchip number is the link to the owner’s contact details which must be held on Dogs and Cats Online (for SA based dogs and cats).
The microchip functions by emitting a radiofrequency signal when energised by a scanner passing over the cat or dog. The identification number on the microchip is displayed on the scanner and can be cross-referenced with contact details held on a registry database. This database can be accessed by councils, vets, animal welfare groups and shelters.
Low cost microchipping
The following programs are run and administered by Lost Pets Of South Australia:
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Chip Blitz offers $10 microchipping at events held periodically at locations around South Australia.
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goZEROSA provides free of charge microchipping to cat owners, with events held at various venues across SA as they become available.
All cats and kittens adopted through SA Cat Rescue are desexed, microchipped and vaccinated prior to adoption.
Sources: Dog and Cat Board | Good Cat SA | RSPCA Australia