ARARAT - Ararat Rural City Council is holding a microchipping day for cats and dogs next month.
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The microchipping will take place on Saturday February 15 at Alexandra Hall, Western Highway Ararat from 9am to 1pm at the reduced cost of $25.
This initiative is part of Council's strategy to encourage responsible pet ownership within the municipality.
By law, all cats and dogs over three months of age have to be microchipped and registered.
With cat and dog registrations due each year by April 10, Council is holding this microchipping day to encourage residents who have unregistered pets to receive a subsidised microchip and register their pet without fear of prosecution.
The cost of the microchipping for the day is only $25, which is heavily subsidised from the normal cost.
This is only possible with the willingness of the Ararat Veterinary Clinic to assist, along with Microchips Australia providing the microchip at cost.
"Council would like to thank John Brennan from Ararat Veterinary Clinic and Microchips Australia for this community service," Ararat Rural City local laws officer Ricky Bowen said.
Council is also encouraging people who have a cat or dog that is not registered to take advantage of the day.
Many people who miss the first opportunity to register and microchip their pets don't follow up for fear of being fined by Council.
"Once your animal has been microchipped, Council will be able to register your pet on the day. We won't be prosecuting anyone who brings a pet in to be microchipped and registered on the day; it is about encouraging responsible pet ownership, and to do this we would like everyone who has an unregistered pet to come down on the day and take advantage of this fantastic initiative," Mr Bowen said.
The day commences at 9am, and Council requires all dogs brought down on the day to be on a lead, and all cats in cages.
You will require proof of identity, and as there are no eftpos facilities available you will need to bring sufficient cash to pay for the microchip and the applicable registration costs.
For more information regarding this microchipping day contact Ararat Rural City Council's Local Laws Department on (03) 5355 0911 or go to www.ararat.vic.gov.au.