Microchips can be a frustrating minefield. There are lots of different microchip companies, all with their own transfer process (and forms!). We have compiled a list of steps to help you through this process.
St 1. You will need to locate your pets microchip number. This can generally be found on the documentation supplied by the vet who microchipped your pet. If you are unable to locate your vet documentation, however, remember the vet that your animal was implanted at- call to request the number as it is generally recorded on their files. If you are unsure where your pet was microchipped, most local vets will scan your pet for free.
St 2. Now that you have your pet’s microchip number, you will need to determine which microchip company it is registered with. Pet Address allows you to search the microchip number in a nationwide database to help identify which company your pet is with (excludes NSW and racing greyhounds as they have their own data bases).
St 3. Updating your pet’s ownership information. Now that you know which company your pet is registered with, you will need to follow the transfer process of that specific company. Below are instructions for each.
HomeSafe ID
If you have identified your pet as being microchipped with HomeSafe ID, you will need to complete and submit a microchip change of ownership. HomeSafe ID will need permission from the current registered owner to be able transfer the details into your name. If you are able to contact the previous owner, you can request that they transfer the animal over to you via their online transfer system. If you are unable to contact the previous owner, then you will need to complete and submit a printed microchip change of ownership form accompanied by a Statutory Declaration which will then need to be sent to HomeSafe ID.
Global Micro Animal Registry (Global) If you have identified your pet as being microchipped with Global, you will need to complete and submit a microchip change of ownership. Global will need permission from the current registered owner to be able transfer the details into your name If you are able to contact the previous owner, you can request that they transfer the animal over to you via an online transfer system. If you are unable to contact the previous owner, then you will need to complete and submit a printed microchip change of ownership form accompanied by a Statutory Declaration which will then need to be sent to Global.
Central Animal Records (CAR)
If you have identified your pet as being microchipped with CAR, you can request to change microchip ownership online. CAR will then directly contact the previous owner for approval for the pet to be changed over into your details. If they don’t receive a response from the previous owner, the request will be automatically approved after 21 days. Instructions for completing the online request for ownership transfer can be found here. CAR also have a print version of their microchip change of ownership form which can be downloaded, printed and mailed to CAR.
Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)
If you have identified your pet as being microchipped with AAR, you can request to change microchip ownership online. AAR will then directly contact the previous owner for approval for the pet to be changed over into your details. If they don’t receive a response from the previous owner, the request will be automatically approved after 15 days. Instructions for completing the online request for ownership transfer can be found here. AAR also have a print version of their microchip change of ownership form which can be downloaded, printed and mailed to AAR.
Pet Safe
If you have identified your pet as being microchipped with Pet Safe, you need to complete their microchip change of ownership form which can be downloaded, printed and mailed to Pet Safe. Pet Safe will then directly contact the previous owner for approval for the pet to be changed into your details. If they don’t receive a response from the previous owner, the request will be automatically approved after 21 days.
Not Found Microchip
If when you enter the microchip number into the Pet Address database it returns a message stating that the number could not be found, there are a number of reasons why this might be the case.
1. You entered an incorrect number. As microchip numbers are long, often a digit can be entered incorrectly. Check you have entered each number as it reads on your documentation.
2. Your pet’s microchip was never registered. You might be asking yourself how something like this could happen. It is unfortunately fairly common. When your pet is taken to a vet to be microchipped, the clinic then processes the registration. Sometimes however, vet clinics forget due to the busy nature of their industry. Some vets send their clients home with the necessary paperwork to register the pet themselves BUT without a thorough explanation of how to do so. To address this, you can either; go to the clinic that the microchip was implanted and have them register the animal for you or contact the microchip company (if known) and explain what has occurred and ask whether they can assist you in registering your pet.
3. Your pet came from NSW. If you have adopted an animal from NSW- or relocated from NSW to WA, your pets microchip information will not be accessible in WA. NSW have their own database and the microchip will appear to be an ‘unregistered microchip’. To address this, you will need to re-register your pet with one of the companies mentioned above.
4. You adopted a racing greyhound. Whilst some may be microchipped, much like the NSW database, the greyhound registry is not included in the national database and the microchip will appear to be an ‘unregistered microchip’. To address this, you will need to re-register your pet with one of the companies mentioned above.
Cover photo courtesy of Danika B Photography.