Microchipping for dogs and cats in Melbourne

A collar can come off. A microchip stays with your pet for life, as long as the details behind it stay current.

A veterinarian gently checks a dog's head

How the chip goes in

A tiny microchip beside a grain of rice

The chip is about the size of a grain of rice. We place it under the skin between the shoulder blades with a needle, much like a vaccine. Most pets barely notice.

We scan it before you leave to check that it reads.

Register it, or it cannot help

A dog collar with a blank round metal tag on a wooden table

A chip holds only a number. A shelter or vet scans it and looks the number up in a registry to find you. We help you register, and you update it when you move.

If your pet goes missing

A dog trots up a front path toward an open door

Call local shelters and animal control and tell them your pet is chipped. We can give you the chip number from our file.

Questions about microchipping

Can a chip show where my pet is?

No. A microchip has no battery and no GPS. It works only when someone scans it.

Can you chip my pet at any visit?

Yes. It takes a few seconds and can be done at a wellness visit or during spay or neuter surgery.

Reviewed by Dr. Silas Whitlock, DVM, October 7, 2026