Microchip pets to be mandatory

BUNDABERG cat and dog owners will have to microchip their pets under a new mandatory state government requirement.

Renae Keyes and little Tinkerbell were reunited after the RSPCA linked the pair via a microchip. Picture: Mike Knott

BUNDABERG cat and dog owners will have to microchip their pets under a new mandatory state government requirement.

From December 10, cats and dogs under the age of 12 weeks, animals being given away or sold, and declared regulated dogs will need to be chipped or face fines.

Bundaberg cat owner Renae Keyes has welcomed the change after her cat was returned after two weeks of being lost on Tuesday, thanks to a microchip.

“My cat got under the car and when we went for a drive she must have jumped out near Salter Oval,” Ms Keyes said.

“Someone saw her wandering around for a few days and took her to the RSPCA.”

Ms Keyes said her pet was returned after the RSPCA scanned her cat’s microchip.

“I only had her microchipped a month before she went missing so I was really lucky,” she said.

“Everyone should have their pets chipped.”

About 60 dogs are impounded every month.

Bundaberg regional councillor Mary Wilkinson said the new requirements could help return many of these animals to their owners.

“We chose to defer it (the program) until December so we can get information from other areas and create a better education campaign for residents,” she said.

“Information will be given to the public when all details are finalised.”

Cr Wilkinson said failure to comply with the rules would see animal owners and suppliers fined.

“The failure on the part of the supplier or the owner to microchip their puppy or kitten under 12 weeks old could incur a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, which equates to a maximum penalty of $2000 or could be liable to a $200 on-the-spot fine,” she said.

“We ask people not to panic. We will be asking for the public’s input in a few months time to compile a register of cats and work on a system that is fair to everyone.”

For more information on microchipping rules, visit www.dip.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as Microchip pets to be mandatory