What: Vet practice manager Nicole White prepares to microchip her French bulldog Alvin.
Camera IconWhat: Vet practice manager Nicole White prepares to microchip her French bulldog Alvin. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Butler pet store hosting microchip blitz

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

A BUTLER pet store will hold a ‘microchip blitz’ this weekend, offering cat and dog owners a chance to microchip their pets at a fraction of the usual cost.

People can get microchips for $10 at PETstock on November 19 and 20 as part of a bid to reduce the number of pets without microchips arriving at pounds and shelters.

National project manager Christine Robertson said there were a number of reasons why pets were not microchipped, the main one being expense.

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“The average price of microchipping at a vet costs around $50-75, excluding consultation fees,” she said.

“Unfortunately too many older dogs that were puppies before the laws came into effect are not microchipped and their owners don’t realise this until it’s too late.

“We’re only seeing around 7 per cent of lost cats reunited with their owners, with 30 per cent killed and the remainder having to be re-homed.

“The trauma that pets and families go through in these scenarios is certainly avoidable and one of the biggest reasons why we’re undertaking this blitz.”

Smaller pets can also get microchips, but the event will not cover horses, birds, livestock or reptiles.

The company encouraged people to update changes to their contact details on their microchipping organisation’s database.

The Butler store is also selling 2017 calendars featuring rescue kittens, puppies, a horse and guinea pigs for $3, with all proceeds going to non-profit organisation PetRescue.

To book a microchip appointment, visit the company’s website.

Summary of legislation Microchipping for cats and dogs is mandatory in WA. Dogs must be microchipped when they registered for the first time or when a change of ownership occurs. Cats must be microchipped before transfer or sale and by six months old.