When you need to microchip

From 1 July 2009, microchipping of cats and dogs is being introduced in the council districts of South East Queensland, Gladstone and Central Highlands. All other Queensland local governments will introduce cat and dog microchipping no later than 12 December 2010.

There are three cases when microchipping your cat or dog is mandatory:

• if your cat or dog is under 12 weeks of age when the microchipping laws are introduced in your local council area
• if a cat or dog is being sold or given away
• if a dog is a declared regulated dog.

An authorised microchip implanter cannot microchip a cat or dog less than eight weeks old unless at least one of the following is met:

• the implanter has a reasonable excuse
• the implanter is a veterinary surgeon who considers implanting the microchip is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog
• there is a signed veterinary surgeon’s certificate for the cat or dog stating that implanting the microchip when it is less than eight weeks old is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog.

The following councils have been the first to implement the microchipping laws on 1 July 2009:

• Brisbane City Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Lockyer-Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Redland City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Central Highlands Regional Council  

The following councils will implement the microchipping laws from 1 March 2010:  

• Banana Shire Council

The following councils will implement the microchipping laws from 1 July 2010:  

• Charters Towers Regional Council

The following councils will implement the microchipping laws from 1 December 2010:

• Cassowary Coast Regional Council
• Tablelands Regional Council  

Unless they commence on an earlier date, other councils will implement the new microchipping requirements on 12 December 2010.

Microchipping current pets

If you already own a cat or dog that is older than 12 weeks when these laws start in your area, it will not be mandatory for you to implant your pet with a microchip, unless it is a regulated dog.

If you decide to give away or sell your cat or dog, you will be required to implant a microchip in it before the change in ownership takes place. If you are receiving a cat or dog, it is your responsibility to make sure it has a microchip.

An authorised microchip implanter cannot microchip a cat or dog less than eight weeks old unless at least one of the following is met:

• the implanter has a reasonable excuse
• the implanter is a veterinary surgeon who considers implanting the microchip is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog
• there is a signed veterinary surgeon’s certificate for the cat or dog stating that implanting the microchip when it is less than eight weeks old is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog.

Cost of microchipping

The cost of microchipping your cat or dog will depend upon who you get to implant the microchip. Microchipping a cat or dog can only be done by an authorised microchip implanter. Contact your local council, vet, animal welfare agency or pet shop to find an authorised implanter near you.

Microchip information

When an animal is implanted with a microchip, the microchip is given a unique number. The unique microchip number is different to the animal's council registration number, and can be read with a microchip reader without causing distress to the animal.

When the microchip is read, the unique microchip number can be found in a Permanent Identification Device (PID) registry database, where it shows details about the animal, including its owner and owner's contact details.

It is important to inform the PID registry when information about your pet changes. If you move house or change your telephone number, for instance, you should let the PID registry know so that they can update your contact details in their records.

To find out how to contact the PID registry with your pet's details, look at the documentation you were given at the time of microchipping, or ask the person that microchipped your animal.

The difference between registration and microchipping

Cat and dog registration is administered by your local council, and comes with a physical tag that the cat or dog wears on a collar where it is clearly visible.

When registered, your cat or dog is listed on the local council's register, along with your contact details so that it can be returned to you if lost.

Microchipping is the insertion of a small electronic identification device into the animal's skin. With a microchip scanning device, the microchip can be read and the information about your pet can be accessed through a database anywhere across Queensland.

This means that if your microchipped cat or dog gets lost outside of your local government area, or if it loses its collar and tag, it can still be identified and returned to you.

More information

For more information, phone the cats and dogs information hotline on free call 1800 467 561.