Honestly, this blog might be a little boring for some, but hang in there! I promise you will learn some valuable information!
My name is Kira… and I have worked at a companion animal shelter for 6 years, assisting with rehabilitating, rehoming and reuniting companion animals.
I am a qualified dog trainer, with a bachelor degree in animal science, and I am an authorised identifier (meaning I can legally microchip animals) and a stack of other qualifications that has helped fuel my passion for dogs.
I have recently started my own dog training and pet service business called Your P.E.T School, you can find us on Facebook and Instagram
@yourpetschool
or visit our website
https://www.yourpetschool.com.au/
We offer dog training, dog walking, pet sitting and micro chipping services (with many more exciting services planned! So stay tuned!)
I am passionate about helping people be the best dog owners they can be, not only by providing advice on training and socialisation, but also educating owners on all their responsibilities as a dog or pet owner.
What other responsibilities? You might ask! Your dog is watered, fed, has shelter, goes for daily walks, has regular vet check ups and might even have a their own wardrobe full of fancy coats and maybe a little bow tie or two (please send me photos!).
But do you know your responsibilities as a pet owner when it comes to microchipping and registering you dog? (Cats are also included in this information.)
YAWN!!! I know! But when you witness hundreds of lost cats and dogs go through the pound every year, which could have easily been avoided by their owners understanding the importance of keeping their pets micro chip and details and registration up to date, you will understand why I’m so passionate about this topic.
As of July 1, new laws from the Office of Local Government regarding cats and dogs being advertised for sale have been set in place.
Cats or dogs who are being advertised for sale or rehoming, either if they are for free, or at a cost, MUST include either one of the following in their posting;
– A microchip number
– A rehoming organisation number OR
– Recognised breeder identification number
Otherwise, the advertiser may be subject to a fine. Find out more here:
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/content/selling-or-giving-away-your-dog-or-cat-what-do-youneed-do
After hearing about this great news, I shared this information on my business socials and word spread quickly, but I thought of how many cat and dog owners who I meet on a daily basis, who are unaware of microchipping and registration requirements.
Here are a few things that I think all companion animal owners in NSW should be aware of:
– All companion animals (cats and dogs) are to be microchipped by the age of 12 weeks (but legally can be chipped from 6 weeks onwards).
– It is a legal requirement for all companion animals to be microchipped if they are being sold, therefore it is illegal to sell or re-home an un-identified companion animal.
– When selling or rehoming a cat or dog, it is the breeder OR previous owners responsibility to organise the change of owner paperwork and submit this paperwork to council. The paperwork must be submitted within two weeks of the animal being sold or rehomed.
– The change of owner paperwork has three coloured pages. After the paperwork is completed, the WHITE sheet stays with breeder/previous owner, the PINK form stays with the new owners, and the YELLOW form goes to council
– It is very important that the previous owner/breeder and the new owner keeps their forms as temporary proof of ownership and that the details have been transferred while the paperwork is being handled at council.
– After you have completed the microchip paperwork when purchasing a pet or updating the details on your pets microchip, you should receive a certificate of identification or certificate of registration (see registration info below) in the mail a few weeks after, depending on how soon the paperwork was completed at council… if you do not receive this in the mail, this means that your pets microchip information has not been updated and you should contact the council or the person you purchased or obtained the animal from.
Registration
– Registration is different to microchipping
– In NSW all companion animals over the age of 6 months are to be registered with your local council, and this requires a fee that is set by the Office of Local government every year (racing greyhounds and working dogs are exempt from registration).
– Luckily, in NSW, registration is lifetime, and once the fee has been paid, you are no longer required to pay the fee again, even if the animal has been rehomed, sold or even if you move to a different council area (but remember you do need to update your pets details if you move!)
– You can be fined if you don’t register your pet with your local council after 6 months of age.
– Registration for desexed cats and dogs is considerably cheaper than non-desexed, which is all the more reason to get your pets desexed! Council will require a certificate of sterilisation as proof of desexing.
– Once your pet is registered, you will receive a certificate of registration in the mail.
Where can you check your dogs microchip details?
Log onto petregistry.nsw.gov.au, create an account, and search your pets microchip, and you can update this information on this site also.
If you have just moved, or changed phone numbers and you have your pets microchip number handy, you can also visit your local council and ask if you can compete and change of details form (like you should have completed when you purchased your pet)
Don’t know your pets microchip number?
Call your vet and ask if they have your pets microchip number on file. If they don’t, ask if you can bring your pet in to scan for a chip. Your vet might also have the appropriate paperwork handy.
Once again, this is A LOT of information to take on board, but it’s so important to have an understanding about microchipping and registration, so you can keep your pet safe if they were to get lost.
If you have any questions about this topic, I am more than happy to help, and we offer FREE advice about micro chipping a registering your pets!
Please send any questions to yourpetschool@outlook.com
Well written Kira