Microchips half price to help gets pets home

For one day, this Friday, March 23, Orange residents can book their cat or dog in to Canobolas Family Pet Hospital for a $17 microchipping, instead of the usual $34.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said Council had partnered with the vet to encourage people to microchip their pets so they had the best chance of being reunited with the furry friends, should they escape.

“It’s phenomenal the amount of dogs and cats that our rangers are picking up that haven’t got microchips,” Cr Kidd said.

“It’s sad really because a lot of angst can be prevented with a simple insertion of a microchip.

“Since our partnership with Canobolas Vet started, two weeks ago, the clinic has received 41 stray pets.

“Of those, 19 were microchipped and all of them went home to their families, which is fantastic.

“That’s a 100 per cent success rate for all pets who were microchipped.

“However a further 22 were not microchipped and only one was able to be reunited with its family.

“This shows the absolute value of microchipping your pets.”

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification.

The chip itself is very small and is implanted just under the skin of the dog or cat, just between the shoulder blades.

Companion Animals Committee Chair Stephen Nugent said since Council paired with Canboloas Vet Hospital two weeks ago to help deal with the city’s lost and stray pets, it has become very obvious people needed more encouragement to make sure their pets were chipped and the details were up to date.

“If your pet has a microchip and its details are current, chances are you’ll be reunited with your pet within a day of it going missing,” Cr Nugent said.

“If a member of the public finds a stray dog or cat and takes it Canobolas Family Pet Hospital, the team at the practice will scan the chip and call the owner immediately.

“But without a microchip there is no way, other than to rely on social media, for us to get that pet home safely.

“It’s also important you check your contact details are correct. If there’s been a private sale, or giveaway or perhaps you’ve inherited a family member’s pet, sometimes people might not get around to updating the details.

“Take this chance now and simply give Council a call to check your pet’s details.” Check your pet’s details at the Canobolas Family Pet Hospital, at Council or on the NSW Pet Registry website at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au