Frequently Asked Questions on Permanent Identification of Cats and Dogs

Permanent Identification of Cats and Dogs I Permanent Identification Technology I Implantation I Domestic Animal Registries I Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q: Do all cats and dogs now have to be microchipped?
A: No, microchipping in cats or dogs, other the Dangerous, Menacing and Restricted Breed Dogs is currently optional. Additionally cats and dogs sold or given away from any Domestic Animal Business (Pet Shop, Commercial Breeder or a pound or shelter) must be microchipped from 1 December 2005. On 1 May 2007 all cats or dogs which are being registered with a council for the first time must be microchipped prior to registration and councils will have the power to require compulsory microchipping of all cats and dogs housed

Q: Do pounds and shelters have to scan dogs or cats for microchips?
A: Yes, within 3 days of entering a pound or shelter cats and dogs must be scanned to determine whether they are microchipped. If a pet is identified by microchip or tag the council must notify the owner in writing within four days if the pet is not recovered by the owner.

Q: I have heard that Pet Shops, pounds/shelters and commercial breeders now have to microchip cats and dogs before sale?
A: Yes, as of 1 December 2005 all Domestic Animal Businesses (pet shops, pounds, shelters and commercial breeders) must microchip cats and dogs prior to sale. A commercial breeder is one required under the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act to be registered as a Domestic Animal Business, in general this is a breeder with 10 or more breeding female cats or dogs.

Q: I am a domestic animal business and microchipping cats and dogs prior to sale as required, whose name should the microchip be in?
A: If the animal is not yet sold and you do not have a written agreement for the sale of the animal then the microchip must be in the name of the business or business owner and transferred to the new owner when sold. If the animal is sold or you have a written agreement with another domestic animal business for the sale of that animal then the microchip can be in the name of the new owner and you sign it as the agent of the owner. The implanter must send this information to a licensed registry within 2 days of implantation, the form cannot be given to the domestic animal business or animal owner to send in to the registry.

Q: Are there any requirements for scanners?

A: Yes, any cat or dog scanned for a microchip in Victoria must be scanned using a scanner(s) capable of detecting and reading both prescribed microchips and the 3 most common old non-ISO microchips. Additionally there are set procedures for scanning.

Q: What type of microchip is able to be implanted into Cats and Dogs?

A: As of 1 December 2005 cats and dogs may only be implanted with a microchip which;
· Complies with the requirements in AS 5018 – 2001 and AS5019 – 2001
· Contains a unique identification number of which the first 3 digits displayed are the manufacturer’s code of the device issued by the International Committee for Animal Recording.
Your distributor or veterinarian should be able to tell you if their microchip complies with the new legislation. (most ISO microchips will meet these requirements)

Q: I have a Cat or Dog that was microchipped a few years ago, do I have to have it reimplanted with a new one?
A: No, Microchips implanted before May 2003 that uniquely identify the animal comply with the new legislation and entitle owners (other than owners of Declared Dogs) to a reduction in their annual council registration.

Q: Can people still legally implant old technology/non compliant microchips into a dog or cat in Victoria?
A: No. It is an offence for an implanter to implant anything other than a microchip which complies with the legislation unless:
· The owner has a written agreement to sell the animal to a person who lives overseas; and
· It complies with the laws of the country where the animal is to live.

Q: Who Can Implant a Microchip?
A: Only an Authorised implanter is able microchip a cat or dog in Victoria. Until 1 December 2006 the following people would be considered an Authorised Implanter.
· A Registered Veterinary practitioner who has completed the Australian Veterinary Association of Victoria Microchip Implementation Course to be an authorised implanter;
· An Advanced Certificate or Certificate IV in Veterinary Nurse
o who has completed the Microchip Implantation Procedures Competency for Cats and Dogs (Course Number VBN287); and
o has a written agreement with a Registered Veterinary Practitioner who is also an authorised implanter.
· A Person with Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation (or equivalent) or the Certificate IV in Animal Welfare (Regulation); and
o who has completed the Microchip Implantation Procedures Competency for Cats and Dogs (Course Number VBN287); and
o has a written agreement with a Registered Veterinary Practitioner who is also an authorised implanter.
· A Person with Certificate III in Local Government (Animal Management) or Certificate III in Animal Technology (or equivalent); and
o who has completed the Microchip Implantation Procedures Competency for Cats and Dogs (Course Number VBN287); and
o has a written agreement with a Registered Veterinary Practitioner who is also an authorised implanter.
Q: What do I do if the animal is already implanted with a Microchip and the owner has it presented for implantation?
A: If an existing microchip is found a second microchip cannot be implanted in the animal unless
· The microchip is not working, or
· The Identification number does not uniquely identify the animal, or
· The microchip has migrated out of the scanning region.
If the Microchip is functioning correctly implanters must not implant a second microchip. Additionally Implanters have a statutory requirement to notify the registry holding the original information and provide the registry name, address and telephone number of the person who presented the animal.

Registries are legally required to notify the original owner and provide them with the presenting owners name and telephone number or alternatively seek their approval to amend their record by changing ownership.

Q: Is it a legal requirement to scan a dog or cat prior to implantation?
A: Yes. Implanters must scan an animal before implantation to confirm it is not already microchipped. Scanning must be done by passing an appropriate scanner over the skin of the animal at a distance of 50 millimetres and a speed less than 50 centimetres per second. Animals must be swept twice between the head and the middle of the back and over the shoulder from elbow to elbow.

Q: Can a Microchip be removed?
A: Yes by a registered veterinary practitioner but only for therapeutic reasons. When a microchip is removed the veterinarian must make every attempt to notify the appropriate Registry that the microchip has been removed.

Q: How does the microchip and prescribed identifying information become registered on a database?
A: The implanter is required to send in the application form with all required information to a licensed registry within 2 days of implantation.

Q: Are there any requirements for Registries?
A: Yes, from 1 December 2005 any registry accepting data for cats and dogs microchipped in Victoria will need to be licensed and be operating according to conditions set out in the legislation.