By Brendan Rees
PETstock Cranbourne is holding its annual Microchip Blitz to keep pets out of pounds.
Owners are encouraged to bring in dogs, cats and small animals to PETstock to ensure that more of Cranbourne’s local pets can be easily identified if they become lost.
The microchipping event will be held on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October at PETstock Cranbourne.
PETstock Cranbourne store manager Peter Paterson said once microchipped, pets could be tracked down online or through the local vet.
“So keeping registration details updated is also a must.”
“Microchipping at the event will cost $10 per pet – just a fraction of the standard price, which can cost up to $80.”
“Unfortunately, horses, livestock, birds and reptiles will not be eligible.”
Mr Paterson said microchipping was the most reliable way to reunite a lost pet with its owner.
“It allows more lost animals to be identified and returned to their owners quickly and safely.”
Despite the rise in lost and found pet pages on social media, a recent PETstock survey of more than 800 pet owners had found only eight per cent of the respondents had ever been successfully reunited with a lost pet thanks to social media.
Clyde resident Josie Gourlay said she was so happy to be reunited with her cat Hailey 12 months ago after she “disappeared one day” in Frankston six years ago.
Ms Gourlay said she microchipped Hailey when she was a kitten.
“We were wondering where she went for about six years, then my mum got a phone call saying they found our cat. We went down to the Karingal vet and there she was.”
“It was overwhelming. I started crying when I got to the vet because we hadn’t seen her in so long. We thought she died.”
She admits she had given up hope of finding her. “We really didn’t expect to see her again. She’s back now and everyone is really happy.”
Mr Gourlay said “it’s so worth” microchipping pets, adding “It’s not that costly either. Without it you lose a part of your family forever.”
National Project Manager for the PETstock Microchip Blitz, Christine Robertson said PETstock was aiming to microchip 10,000 pets this year.
“Even though microchipping is compulsory in most states, there are still thousands of pets that fall through the cracks. When those animals that aren’t microchipped get lost, the panic that is felt by their pet parents is devastating, especially when they realise that a simple $10 chip could have made all the difference.
Pet parents are encouraged to visit petstock.com.au/assist/the-great-microchip-blitz to book a time slot.
