Microchips get the right cat home

Kristin Macfarlane | 15th July 2010

Rotorua SPCA is working to reduce the number of stray cats - by microchipping them.

The centre has been microchipping dogs since it became law about four years ago but is now taking it to the next level by also microchipping cats.

Microchipping of cats come as part of efforts to make sure cats are returned to their owners.

SPCA manager Nicola Martin said the society aimed to increase the number of animals returned to their owners by microchipping.

Last year 3000 animals were taken to Rotorua SPCA but only 69 were returned to their owners who went looking for them, she said.

"On average we receive 15 cats a week as stray, meaning no one knows who they belong to," Ms Martin said.

"Microchipping them means this will no longer be a problem as we can find owners of the cats the minute that we scan them and find a microchip."

The database used to store the contact information of owners can be accessed by vets andSPCA centres throughout New Zealand.

It cost between $30 and $50 to microchip a cat, Ms Martin said.

"We want to see your animals come home to you faster and, with a microchip, this is possible."

However, pet owners needed to make sure their contact details were up to date, Ms Martin said.

If people moved, they needed to update the microchipping register so that their animals could be returned quickly and easily.

"If your animal is brought into us at the SPCA as a stray, we will scan it and if it has a microchip, we can contact you within seconds of finding your details, as long as they are kept up to date."

Ms Martin encouraged all cat owners to get their cats microchipped, which could be done when cats receivedtheir annual vaccination.

She said that cat owners should not be put off by the thought of a needle being used to insert the microchip.

THE BENEFITS OF MICROCHIPPING

* Vet clinics are able to contact you quickly if your animal is found injured and needs medical care.

* If your animal is lost and brought into a vet clinic or SPCA it is able to be returned to you quickly.

* Can be used as legal identification if an animal's ownership is in dispute.

* Great for legal identification in case your animal is stolen.

* More pets are reunited with their owners thanks to microchipping.

* Microchipping helps with dog registration.