Microchipping, Geelong

An important part of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring you have your dog or cat microchipped. Microchips for dogs and cats are compulsory in Victoria and must be implanted prior to registration with the local council. Bellarine Veterinary Practice, with six clinics across Geelong and the Bellarine, can assist with any pet microchip queries and requirements.

A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice, implanted by injection beneath your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number that links to your contact details in a national pet registry. Unlike collars or tags, a microchip cannot fall off or be removed, making it a permanent form of identification.

If your pet goes missing, the microchip can be scanned by shelters, local laws officers and veterinary clinics so you can be reunited with your lost pet. It also helps resolve ownership disputes and is essential for travel, insurance, and council registration.

A microchip is only effective if your contact information is current. Pet owners should regularly update their details with an authorised registry such as Central Animal Records or Australasian Animal Registry. This ensures that if your pet is found they are identifiable at all times, and you can be contacted without delay.

Adopted cats and dogs and those from reputable breeders should be microchipped before sale. However, if you are unsure or concerned your pet hasn’t been microchipped or the owner details linked to the microchip are incorrect, please contact us for advice.

If you are a breeder or have a litter of young puppies or kittens, you will need to obtain a “Source number” to microchip them before they can be passed onto new owners. This can be applied for here. Once you have this number, we can microchip the pets.