Keep your pet’s details updated

Pet owners are being urged to make sure their furry family members’ microchip is up to date this holiday season as shelters prepare for a busy summer of missing pets and stressed families.

The Lost Dogs’ Home warns December and January are traditionally the busiest time of the year with holiday plans, parties and time spent away from our pets all increasing the risk of pets escaping properties.

The Home’s spokesperson Suzana Talevski said now was the time to make sure your pet is microchipped and even just as important to make sure the microchip is updated to your current address and phone number. 

"We are encouraging all pet owners to start the holiday season by making sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date.

"Christmas is a time for family, good friends, good times and all those things involve our pets," said Ms Talevski.

"We know how much Australians value the bond they have with their pets so let’s all get together and make sure all our family members are home for Christmas this year."

The Home’s admissions department has seen a 31 per cent increase in animals arriving with a microchip compared to the previous year.

"It’s pleasing that the message is starting to get through but there are still too many without one. It is extremely difficult to reunite a pet with its family without one," said Ms Talevski. 

"We are however pleased that we have also seen a 72 per cent increase in the last five years."

Fireworks can also be stressful for some dogs, with many running away in fright. Without a microchip it can be difficult to locate the owners.

Tips for updating your microchip: 

• Take your pet to a vet clinic to be scanned and confirm microchip number
• Most are registered to Central Animal records, websites like 'petaddress.com' let you search the microchip number to find out what database it’s on
• If a pet is only registered to a specific state's database (ie: NSW) subscribe them to a national database like Central Animal Records as well (small fee to do this)