National Check the Chip Day falls on 15 August each year and serves as a reminder for pet owners to ensure their beloved friend’s microchip details are up to date.
The microchip, a legal requirement, is a safety net for owners if pets get lost or wander off. The details on your pet’s chip allow veterinary clinics, shelters or pounds to contact you if your pet has come through their doors. But it only works if your details are correct.
The RSPCA ACT is no stranger to reuniting lost pets with their owners; CEO Michelle Robertson says it is one of the many highlights of the job.
“It really is wonderful to see the joy when owners come and collect their missing pets. We know that pets are family members, and when they go missing, it can be really distressing.”
In just the past year, 340 animals have been reunited with their owners through the help of RSPCA ACT, largely thanks to microchip information being up to date.
It is easy to forget to update details after a move or change of ownership, but doing so helps to ensure the happiest outcome if your pet does happen to go missing.
“People move interstate with their pets all the time; family situations and ownership of animals can change; sometimes family members inherit pets – and quite accidentally, those basic microchip details like name, address and telephone number become incorrect,” says Ms Robertson.
Not only does keeping your microchip detail up to date help you if you find yourself without your furry buddy, it also helps the wider community.
“Our animal shelter is at capacity, and even when you think your pet is healthy, if they’re found and brought to us and we can’t identify you as the owner, that animal could remain in our care for weeks or even longer,” says Ms Robertson.
“We will always look after every animal who arrives at our shelter, but if we can quickly reunite pets and owners, that allows us to concentrate on the animals who are in urgent need of help and, importantly, get families back together quickly and alleviate distress.”
Losing a pet is a heartbreaking experience, but RSPCA ACT is in a position to bring relief and a happy ending to owners, sometimes even after years.
Last year, they had the pleasure of reuniting an owner with their cat who ran off in a storm before being claimed by someone else, six long years ago.
“Sure enough, the cat, six years later, somehow got lost again, and this time it was brought to our shelter,” says Ms Robertson “We notified the owner via the microchip details, and they couldn’t believe it. I only wish the cats could tell us where they’ve been and what they have been up to.”
To check and update your pet’s registration details, visit: petaddress.com.au
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