Microchipping

All dogs over three months old must receive a microchip under New Zealand law. Failing to do so can trigger a $300 fine. Beyond the legal requirement, microchipping keeps your dog or cat safe and gives you peace of mind if they go missing.

Every year, thousands of cats and dogs escape, get lost, or are stolen. Sadly, owners cannot reunite with many of these pets, and overcrowded SPCAs or council shelters sometimes euthanise them. A microchip gives your pet the best chance of returning home. Animal shelters, vet clinics, and SPCAs across New Zealand routinely scan pets for microchips. Registering your pet ensures a quick database check can reunite you immediately.

How Pet Microchipping Works

At Vet Marlborough, we make microchipping quick and stress-free. The microchip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. Our vets inject it just under your pet’s skin above the shoulders. The process causes no pain, stays in permanently, and eliminates the risk of losing identification like collars or tags.