How to update microchip ownership!
Fri, 2 Apr 2021How to update microchip ownership!
We know how complicated and confusing it can be to sort out your animals microchip information. Often times in the excitement of getting a new animal, people forget one of the most important parts of owning an animal - their microchip details! Maybe you got yours via a private surrender and they didn't provide you with the change of ownership at the time, or you just need to update your own details and are unsure where to start.. Using our experience dealing with microchips, we have put together a how to guide for you.
Step One: Find your pets microchip number!
This should be on paperwork supplied from your vet. If you are unable to find your vet paperwork, call your vet and ask them for the microchip number as it should be recorded in their files. If you do not have a vet or cannot remember the vet, take the animal into a local clinic and ask them to scan the pet and give you the number it's free.
Step Two: Find the microchip company!
Now you have the microchip number, head to Pet Address and search the microchip number in the search bar. Pet Address will search the nation database in Australia for the company your pets microchip is registered to (EXCEPT for NSW and racing greyhounds -- they have their own data bases). Go to Pet Address here.
Step Three: Completing an update of ownership!
Pet Address should have told you the company that your pets' microchip is registered with. Please find the company below for instructions.
Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)
If your animal is microchipped with AAR and you need to complete a microchip change of ownership, you can make the request online. AAR will then contact the previous owner for you to get approval for the animal to be changed into your details. The transfer request will be automatically approved after 15 days with no reply. Change of ownership can be found on AAR's website here.
If you need to update your details on the microchip because you've moved or changed your phone number, sign into your account with them and make the required changes online. If you are unsure of your account information you can contact AAR directly to regain access or email them with the microchip number and details you wish to change. To update details, head to AAR's website here.
Central Animal Records (CAR)
If your animal is microchipped with CAR and you need to complete a microchip change of ownership, you can make the request online. CAR will then contact the previous owner for you to get approval for the animal to be changed into your details. The transfer request will be automatically approved after 21 days with no reply. They have instructions available on their website on how to complete the request online which can be found here.
If you need to update your details on the microchip because you've moved or changed your phone number, sign into your account with them and make the required changes online. If you are unsure of your account information you can follow the instructions on their website or contact CAR directly through their website here.
Global Micro Animal Registry (Global)
If your animal is microchipped with Global and you need to complete a microchip change of ownership, Global need permission from the registered owner to transfer the details into your name. You can contact the previous owner and ask them to transfer the animal using Global's simple online transfer system. If you're unable to contact the previous owner then you will need to complete a paper microchip change of ownership form along with a Statutory Declaration which will need to be sent into Global together. Both of these forms are available on Global's website here.
If you need to update your details on the microchip because you've moved or changed your phone number, sign into your account with them and make the required changes online. If you are unsure of your account information you can follow the instructions on their website or contact Global directly through their website here.
Pet Safe
If your animal is microchipped with Pet Safe and you need to complete a microchip change of ownership, you will need to complete their paper microchip change of ownership form. Pet Safe will then contact the previous owner for you to get approval for the animal to be changed into your details. The transfer request will be automatically approved after 21 days with no reply. The form is available on their website here.
If you need to update your details on the microchip because you've moved or changed your phone number, sign into your account with them and make the required changes online. If you are unsure of your account information you can follow the instructions on their website or complete a paper update details form available on their website here.
HomeSafe ID
If your animal is microchipped with HomeSafe ID and you need to complete a microchip change of ownership, HomeSafe ID need permission from the registered owner to transfer the details into your name. You can contact the previous owner and ask them to transfer the animal to you using their simple online transfer system. If you're unable to contact the previous owner then you will need to complete a paper microchip change of ownership form along with a Statutory Declaration which will need to be sent into HomeSafe ID together. Visit HomeSafe ID's website here.
If you need to update your details on the microchip because you've moved or changed your phone number, sign into your account with them and make the required changes online. If you are unsure of your account information you can follow the instructions on their website or contact HomeSafe ID directly through their website here.
Not Found Microchip
If you received a message like the one in the picture below stating the number couldn't be found in any of their databases, there are a few possible scenarios detailed below!
Scenario One: Your animal came from NSW
If you purchased your animal from a breeder in NSW, adopted from a rescue in NSW, or have relocated with your pets from NSW to WA then it is important to know that NSW state have their own database that is not accessible from outside of NSW. This means that NSW is not a part of the national database and if your animal goes missing outside of NSW, our vets and rangers will not be able to contact you and it will simply look like an unregistered chip to them!
To fix this you need to re-register your animals microchip number with one of the companies available in the national database. Most of the companies listed above have registration forms available on their website to do it yourself, or you can ask your vet to register them for you.
Scenario Two: You adopted a racing greyhound
You rescued a greyhound from a cruel life in the racing industry and were told they were already microchipped. While this may be true, the greyhound registry is not included in the national database and closed to people outside of the industry. This means that vets and rangers cannot view the owner details (which would still be the company they raced for), and the chip will appear unregistered to them.
To fix this you need to re-register your greyhounds microchip number with one of the companies available in the national database. Most of the companies listed above have registration forms available on their website to do it yourself, or you can ask your vet to register them for you.
Scenario Three: Your pets microchip never got registered
While this may sound outrageous, we can assure you that this happens far too often in WA! When you take your animal to the vet to be microchipped, the clinic is supposed to process the registration for you as that is what you are paying for. However, some clinics send you home with the paper work to do it yourself without explaining to you what you need to do, or, sometimes they may forget as vet clinics can be busy environments!
To fix this, there are a few paths you can take:
- Go back to the vet clinic that the microchip was implanted at and have them register it for you as you have already paid them for both the microchip implanting and the registration of the chip in your bill.
- If you have the paperwork from the vets with the microchip company on it still, you can contact the company directly and explain to them what happened and they may register it for you without charge.
- If you're unsure of the company, most of the companies listed above have registration forms available on their website for you to complete and register the microchip yourself for a small fee.
Scenario Four: Your animal came from outside of Australia
If you purchased your animal from overseas or have relocated with your pets from outside of Australia to WA then you will no doubt have dealt with the Australian Government and be familiar with their law that all animals coming into the country must be microchipped prior to arrival. However, the responsibility of then registering your animals microchip with a company in the Australian national database is left to the owner.
To fix this you need to re-register your animals microchip number with one of the companies available in the national database. Most of the companies listed above have registration forms available on their website to do it yourself, you can ask your vet to register them for you.
If your animals microchip is not Australian standard and unable to be read on Australian scanners (which should have been detected by customs officials when importing the animal) then you will need to attend a vet clinic to have your animal re-microchipped and registered in Australia.