MICROCHIPPING doesn't just help lost animals find their way home - it is also a legal requirement in Victoria.
On October 20 PETstock will provide a $10 microchipping service to ensure local pets can be easily identified if they become lost.
2019 marks the fourth year of the national microchipping initiative run by PETstock's charity arm, PETstock Assist, to offer the service at a heavily discounted price.
It's hoped the initiative will encourage responsible pet ownership in an effort to break the cycle of pets needing to find homes.
The simple procedure can greatly assist in the quick and safe return of lost pets, reducing stress for owners and reducing the burden on pounds and animal rescue groups.
The $10 flat rate, which is a fraction of the usual price of $80, aims to encourage more pet owners to get their pets microchipped to keep them out of pounds, where it is estimated up to 200,000 pets are euthanised every year in Australia.
The initiative has seen a reduced number of pets being brought in for the procedure each year, suggesting fewer Aussie pets remain non-microchipped.
PETstock Assist charity and events coordinator Jess Guilfoyle said in 2016 a total of 8210 pets were presented for microchipping, and in 2017 another 6566 animals were brought in.
"In 2018, we were pleased to see that number further reduced to 4,200 and hope to see the number of pets in need of microchipping decrease again this year," she said.
"Microchipping is mandatory in most states; however, thousands of pets still remain non- microchipped despite the introduction of new laws.
"Whether due to the usual cost of microchipping, lack of awareness on the laws, or owners not understanding how crucial microchips are to the safe return of lost pets.
"In South Australia alone, only 6 per cent of all cats that came into the RSPCA in 2017 were microchipped, making owner and pet reunions all the more difficult.
"If you haven't had your pet microchipped, this is a fantastic opportunity to book an appointment at your local PETstock store to ensure your pet's safety, should they ever get lost."
PETstock Assist Microchip Bltiz national project manager Christine Robertson said the panic of losing a pet can be heartbreaking for pet owners as well as a traumatic experience for the lost animal.
"The Microchip Blitz aims to offer peace of mind for pet owners while reducing strain on rescue groups, who are often already understaffed and underfunded," she said.
Pet owners are encouraged to make an appointment online for their local PETstock store once appointment times are released in October.
Owners can bring in dogs, cats and small animals including rabbits and guinea pigs.
Horses, livestock, birds and reptiles will not be eligible.
Why microchip?
- Once in place, microchips are permanent, meaning unlike an ID tag that can fall off, your pet will always be able to be identified with their chip.
- Microchips are safe, around the size of a grain of rice and won't cause any discomfort once inserted.
- The simple, one-off procedure is much like a vaccination for pets. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. The microchip number is recorded on a database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should your pet stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.
- Microchips can provide certainty of pet ownership. In the case of your pet being found and kept by someone else, microchips provide official documentation of the pet's rightful owner.
- Once microchipped, the owners of lost pets can be tracked down via an online database and contacted to collect their animal.
- Microchipping provides pet owners the best chance of being reunited with a lost pet.
- Once chipped, it's vital pet parents keep their contact details up to date and ask their vet to regularly scan the chip to ensure it's readable and hasn't moved around.
What to do if you find a lost pet:
- Calmly approach the pet and hold in a safe place - Firstly, calmly approach the
- pet. Don't chase them or run towards them, as they are likely already frightened and nervous in unfamiliar surroundings. Once you have safe hold of the animal, make sure to keep them in a safe place away from dangerous roads and busy crowds.
- Check for visible ID - Check if the animal has a collar or any form of visible
- identification. This can save a lot of time and hassle, so you can simply call the owner and bring their pet to them or meet them somewhere to collect their furry friend.
- Scan the microchip - take the animal to a shelter or vet to scan for a microchip and
- the contact details of the owner. This is the easiest and quickest way for pets to be reunited once lost. Unfortunately, pets that aren't microchipped have a much smaller chance of finding their owners. Note: microchips can move from their original spot, so if a microchip is not found immediately, encourage the vet or shelter to scan the pet's entire body.
- File a found report - if you haven't been able to find and contact the owner, call
- your local animal shelter and council to file a found report, as these are likely the first places the owner will call when they discover their pet is missing. Leave your name
- and number, so the shelter or council can call you back if they hear from the owner and the pet can be returned as quickly as possible.
- Utilise social media - Social media is a great way to spread a message quickly in
- the local community. Post a photo and description of the pet to your local lost pet page or community group. However helpful this method can be, don't rely on it wholly, as some people may not be active on social media and will still visit the local pet shelter or council to find their missing pet.
- Take the pet to the local shelter - If you can't contact the owner, the best thing to do is to take the pet to the animal shelter so the owner can go to collect them as this is the most obvious place for them to look. Give full details on where you found the pet and at what time, so they can file an accurate report and identify the owner.
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