FAQ - Microchips

A microchip is a sterile implant, the size of a grain of rice that we put under the skin of animals to identify them. Each microchip has its own unique number and provides a positive identification. Local Councils recognise the value of microchips and give a concession for microchipped pets when you register them. It is the only reliable way of identifying both dogs and cats – collars and bells can fall off.

We recommend that all cats and dogs have a microchip.

We also put an identifying “M” tattoo in the right ear of pets that we microchip at Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital; either under sedation or with a general anaesthetic if we are microchipping at the same time as desexing.

Cats and dogs that are microchipped at Council sponsored Microchip Days are not tattooed at the time.