Free pet microchipping day returns

Eurobodalla residents can have their cat or dog microchipped for free at a microchipping day in Narooma on Saturday 20 July.

Pet owners can book in to bring their cat or dog to the Narooma Leisure Centre between 9am and 3pm to be microchipped at no cost.

A joint initiative of RSPCA Eurobodalla volunteer branch and Eurobodalla Council, the event will have experts on hand to give advice about dog and cat care, a coffee and cake stall, RSPCA merchandise for sale, and desexing discount vouchers for those whose pets are not desexed.

Council’s acting environmental services manager Nathan Ladmore said microchipping and properly identifying pets was the fastest way to have them returned if they’re lost. It is also a requirement by 12 weeks of age under NSW law.

“We’re hoping the day will motivate pet owners to microchip their pet free of charge so that they can be easily identified,” he said.

“Council’s rangers are called to collect hundreds of lost and wandering animals each year but we would be able to return them home much quicker, prior to impounding, if more pets were microchipped and registered.”

The free microchipping day was successfully held in Moruya last year and Mr Ladmore is hoping for the same great response.

“Last year we were able to microchip 74 animals - 17 cats and 57 dogs, which we were really happy with,” he said.

“We’re hoping the Narooma community will take advantage of this great initiative this year.”

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and when scanned revealed a unique identification number, which can then be linked to lifetime pet registration.

Registering pets with Council is required by six months of age and the cost is greatly reduced for desexed animals.

Bookings are essential for the free microchipping day and can be made with the RSPCA NSW Eurobodalla branch on 0429 488 200. Pet owners are asked to make sure dogs are on leads and cats are in carry cases.

For more information about microchipping visit our page for pet owners.