Is your dog’s microchip recorded with the Council?
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Last modified: 06 Mar 2023 4:46pm
Dog owners are being urged to check that their dog’s microchip is correctly recorded with the Council to give them the best chance of being reunited if their pet goes missing.
All dog owners are required to record their dog’s microchip in the National Dog Database (NDD), which is operated by local councils.
The database allows councils to quickly and easily identify owners, even if the dog has lost its collar. The database, which is different to the New Zealand Companion Animal Register accessed by vets, has several advantages. One benefit is that if owners move house or transfer the dog to someone else councils automatically update the national database during the dog registration process.
Council Team Leader Animal Control Steve Clarke says adding your dog’s microchip number to the NDD is totally free, and is a legal requirement.
“Microchipping and recording those details in the NDD is an important part of being a responsible owner. If your dog went missing and our animal control staff were able to find them, or it was taken to a vet or the SPCA, the microchip details in our national database would help us get them home to you.”
Council provides free dog microchipping clinics every month throughout the district, including in Rolleston, Lincoln, Leeston and Darfield. Residents are welcome to drop into the 30-minute clinics any time. Clinics may not go ahead if it is raining, as dog coats must be dry.
Microchip clinics are advertised in Council Call notices and our website.
Does my dog need a microchip?
* All dogs (excluding working dogs) that were first registered with Council after 30 June 2006 are legally required to be microchipped.
* A microchip is a rice-sized digital ID tag that’s inserted under the skin of a dog’s neck.
* You don’t need to have microchipped your dog before registering them with Council, but you need to provide Council with the microchip number after it is done.