Microchipping Myths from across the large pond going towards the East
by Dr. Walt Ingwersen and Kate Johnson
Trends Magazine

The myth: The implantation procedure is too expensive. Read the fact
The myth: It's going to hurt my pet to get the chip implanted.
The myth: They couldn't possibly give every pet with a microchip a unique number. My pet's number will be duplicated.
The myth: Most shelters and veterinarians don't have microchip readers, so they won't be able to identify my pet.
The myth: Eventually, the microchip will wear out and I'll have to have it replaced.
The myth: My cat never goes outside. She doesn't need to have a microchip ID
The myth: If someone else ever tries to claim my pet, the microchip ID number won't hold up in court.
The myth: It's not safe for my dog to have a foreign object inside his body.

Microchipping Information

Microchip implant (animal)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: A microchip is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, or other animal. The chips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are based on a passive RFID technology.

Tattooing is another, older method for identifying animals.

Pet microchip company (PetNet) overcharging veterinarians TORONTO, 2003 - Ontario's veterinarians say a high-tech pet registry company is breaking a deal by assessing extra charges on its customers.

Microchipping feel good stories

Microchip ID increases chances of stray cats going home By the Hawaiian Humane Society
The pet microchip ID has revolutionized the statistics on reuniting missing animals with their owners, especially lost cats.

Microchips, And Other Fears I Share With My Dog By Laura Guevin Editorial

Microchip brings pets home Harley is a 2-year-old purebred German shepherd with Houdini's flair for escape and technology that would make the Bionic Man proud.

Microchipping other info

Oceania Pet Passport Information (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands)
Animals traveling Internationally should have either a readable tattoo or a microchip.

Registering & Microchipping in New Zealand

Greens' vote spares farm dogs
22 June 2006
The Government has accepted an embarrassing defeat after a split in the Greens handed farmers and National an eleventh-hour victory on dog microchipping.

Click on picture to see what it says!!

NEW! Dog Microchipping Brochure (17/02/2006) 380k

Dog Microchipping Regulations: New dog microchipping regulations come into force on 1 July 2006.

The Dog Control (Microchip Transponder) Regulations 2005 (.pdf) 71k

The Dog Control Act 1996 requires dog owners to register their dog or dogs with their local council on an annual basis.

From 1 July 2006, all dogs registered in New Zealand for the first time will have to be microchipped. This will mainly apply to new puppies born on, just before, or after that date. Most other dogs will not need to be microchipped.

What you need to do

From 1 July 2006, if you have:

* a new puppy
* a dog that has never been registered in New Zealand
* a dog that has been classified dangerous or menacing on or after 1 December 2003 . . .

Then you must do the following:

* puppy or dog registered for the first time: microchip within two months of registration (first registration occurs before new puppies are three months old, or straight away if your new dog is older than that, but unregistered). If you get a vet to microchip your puppy, it can be done when they vaccinate your pup

* menacing or dangerous dog: microchip within two months of being classified, (or by 1 September 2006, if classified between 1 December 2003 and 30 June 2006).

Once your dog is microchipped, your council must be sure that the microchip meets certain standards and has been inserted correctly.
This will generally involve taking your dog, or a certificate from the vet, back to your council. Your council will be able to tell you more about this when you register your dog.

PLEASE CHECK The Department of Internal Affairs for more info.
To change details on microchip records on New Zealand dogs please contact:-
Australasian Animal Registry
Locked Bag 4317 Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Australia Phone: (61 2) 9704 1450
Web site: www.aar.org.au or www.aar.org.nz

Find your City Council

From the NZ Veterinary Association Inc- article on Companion Animal Microchipping