Microchipping

Thousands of pets go missing every year. Microchipping your pet provides protection and helps safeguard against losing them forever and in NZ it is a legal requirement for all pet dogs.

Pets can go missing for many reasons and it is very upsetting for the whole family when it happens. The good news is over 80 percent of microchipped animals are successfully reunited with their owners.

When you microchip your pet, ask the vet to place the chip details on the NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) as well as their own database.

The microchip is implanted under the skin of the neck. The microchip has a unique number that can be scanned by the reader. The procedure is completely safe.

Legal Requirements

Since 2006, all dogs registered in New Zealand for the first time (except farm dogs used for stock control) must be microchipped and registered with your local council. It is a legal requirement to microchip:

• Dogs registered for the first time in New Zealand after 3 months old
• Dogs that have been classed as menacing or dangerous on or after 01 Dec 2003
• Dogs that are unregistered and have been impounded
• Dogs currently registered that have been impounded for the second time.