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. 

Losing a pet brings an incredible amount of stress and sadness and often pet owners aren't sure what to do. So, we've put together a short list of things you can do to help reunite you and your beloved pet. 

1. Call your local ranger services. Many councils have registers online where you can view pictures of animals that have been found. If they do not have images available, we strongly recommend visiting the pound as often one person's boxer might be another's staffy mix! Remember councils are legally only required to hold pets for 72hours. It is very important that they are notified as soon as possible. 

2. Call any vet within a 5-10km radius as well all 24hr vets. Pets when lost and scared can cover a lot of ground and for those found at night-time, animals are often taken out of area to a 24hr emergency vet clinic! Leave your contact details and description of your animal with the vet clinic. Some vet clinics might even allow you to leave posters of your pet.

3. There are a few fantastic Facebook groups we highly recommend you post in. These are Pets of Perth Lost & Found' and Lost and Found Pets in Perth'. Many members scour pound photos or other Facebook groups, and pets are quickly reunited. You can even share a photo of your pet in other suburb specific groups. Social media is a very important tool.

4. Contact rescue groups in your state they may be able to share a picture on their social media accounts for you.

5. Search your local neighbourhood and let your neighbours know. Your dog may have gone to a familiar park or your cat might be stuck in someone's shed (this happens so often!). Check under bushes and in front gardens in case they are hurt and hiding.

6. It's a great idea to get a simple flyer made up (in Word Doc for example) and letterbox drop these to as many homes as possible. Some information you can include: their breed, if they are desexed, if they are friendly or likely to be scared, and most importantly your contact number and a good body shot of your pet. Enlist the help of friends and family too to door knock neighbouring streets if you can and deliver flyers.

Remember to keep looking be persistent and check your local council. Always update your pet's microchip details and ensure they are wearing a tag with your correct contact details this helps in reuniting lost animals with their families.

We wish you good luck and hope for the safe return of your pet!

Canines generally readily embrace new experiences with support from their humans but even so will need time to adjust to this wonderful change in their life. We recommend that you follow the steps set out below to ensure the smoothest possible introduction into your family routine. The timeline is set by the slowest animal's comfort levels. The first meetings between the resident animals and your new dog can set the tone of their relationship, so slow and steady is best. 

Existing Dog

If you already have a canine companion, you would have been encouraged to meet the new dog with your existing dog already. Despite having met before you will still need to introduce the 2 dogs on neutral territory like the local park. A walk can be a beneficial activity to drain excited energy and allow the dogs to develop an amicable association.

If all is fine and the existing dog is not territorial, you should be able to walk them into the home environment together. Be alert to both dogs' body language and be mindful that they may need some space on their own. Allow the existing dog to have its prize possession and favourite bed. Put the new addition's bed with the transition bedding and toys in a different area for a week or so to ensure no territory disputes.

It is also important to feed the dogs out of view from each other. Whether on opposite sides of the kitchen bench or in different rooms. Food can be a trigger for even placid dogs so best to be overcautious. The Foster Carer has given you some of the food the dog has been eating to enable you to slowly transition over a week to the food of your choice. This is to minimise upsetting the dog's tummy with an abrupt diet change. 

Existing Cat

For at least the first day / night, it is best to allow your cat to settle without adding new pets to the mix. Please restrict the cats' access to the area you have your new dog in, by closing dividing hall doors or confine the cats to a bedroom. Do not use the laundry if the new dog will be sleeping in there.

If your cat is already used to a dog, it will generally accept the new dog within a few weeks. If the Foster Carer had cats, you should be able to introduce the animals over a shorter period of time. The first couple of introductions should be with the animals either side of a closed solid door. They will be able to smell and hear each other, as long as all parties are calm allow them to do so for 5-10 minutes. Praise the animals, call the dog away and reward (play session or treats). If you have a glass door, repeat the exercise as it adds seeing each other to the sensory mix. Read the animals' body language. Only proceed when everyone is calm and relaxed. With the dog on a loose lead, partially open the door so that paws / noses can touch. (The lead is a safety measure but should be held loosely so the dog is not being inadvertently corrected.) 

When you feel the cats are ready to be in the same room as the new dog, take the dogs for a long walk. A tired dog is calmer and will be more relaxed around an exciting stimulus. Again, have a lead on the dog but it should not be needed. Also ensure the cat has a safe retreat from the dogs, be it up a tall scratching post or into a room barred with a baby gate.

Training

Please remember your new dog is going to look to you for guidance and instruction. Your new dog needs to be supervised and his behaviour monitored so you can guide him as to what you feel is acceptable or not in your home. His previous owner &/or foster carer may have allowed him to sit on the couch, be consistent, patient but kind in re-training this now undesirable behaviour. If you are unable to supervise the dog, he should be placed in a safe area with age-appropriate activities to keep him occupied, 2 bowls of water and a bed.

WA Pet Project endorses positive training and is happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future. We have websites and a team of trainers we can recommend all over the metropolitan area to support you and your dog. Most dogs, even though toilet trained, will have an accident or two in a new house. Please do not tell him off if this happens (do use an ammonia free cleaner to remove). Please do take the dog out every few hours for the first couple of days to give him the opportunity to learn where to toilet. Watch for the warning signals such as sniffing around or looking for somewhere to go. 

IMPORTANT: Adopters, if at any time, now or in the future, you need support please contact WAPP by emailing hello@wapetproject.com.au.

Dogs can show various signs that they are stressed. As dog owners it is helpful for us to know what these signs are so we can help keep our dogs happy and safe.

It is important to look at the signs in context of the whole situation, as some can be normal behaviours. Dogs will usually exhibit more than one sign when stressed. When in doubt give the dog space. Thanks to Millicent Hayes, owner of Unleashed Potential Dog Training, for putting together all this information. 

Signs of Stress

• Lip and nose licking
• One paw raised
• Yawning
• Scratching
• Sniffing
• Whale eye (whites showing)
• Low tail with only end wagging
• Tucked tail
• Ears back
• Closed mouth, tight lips
• Furrowed browAvoids eye contact
• Head turned away
• Excessive panting (when not hot or tired)
• Stiff body
• Trembling
• Shake it off (like they are wet, but when they are dry)
• Rolling on their back
• Hiding behind a person or object
• Moving away
• Pacing
• Refusing food or treats
• Moving in slow motion
• Hyper vigilance
• Growling or barking

If you see these signs in your dog and realise they are stressed you need to remove them from stressor, or if that's not possible, remove the stressor. Do not punish them for showing any of these behaviours as that will increase their stress levels and can lead to a bite. If you are concerned about the level of stress your dog is displaying speak to your vet about a referral to a veterinary behaviourist.