A microchip is a tiny electronic device — roughly the size of a grain of rice — implanted under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique 15-digit identification number that is permanently linked to your contact information in a national database.
When a lost pet is brought to a vet clinic, SPCA, council pound, or animal shelter, staff use a handheld scanner to read the chip. The number is then searched in the national registry to find the owner’s contact details. The process takes seconds and is the fastest and most reliable way to reunite lost pets with their families.
A common misconception is that microchips are GPS trackers. They are not. A microchip only works when scanned from close range (a few centimetres). It does not track your pet’s location in real time. For live location tracking, you would need a separate GPS collar attachment — several brands are available in NZ from pet stores and online retailers.
Yes. Under the Dog Control Act 1996, all dogs in New Zealand must be microchipped. This is enforced at the council level as part of the annual dog registration process. Most territorial authorities require proof of microchipping to issue a dog registration tag. Failure to register a dog — which includes microchipping — can result in fines and seizure of the dog.
Dogs must be microchipped:
There is currently no nationwide law requiring cats to be microchipped in New Zealand, but this is an evolving area. Several councils — including Wellington and Palmerston North — have local bylaws requiring microchipping as part of cat registration or as a condition of keeping cats in certain zones. Check your local council’s website for specific requirements in your area.
Regardless of legal requirement, microchipping your cat is strongly recommended by the SPCA and most vets. Cats roam widely and are frequently picked up as strays — a microchip is often the only way to identify them.
| Service | Approximate Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Vet clinic — dog | $40–$80 |
| Vet clinic — cat | $30–$60 |
| SPCA microchipping event | Often free or reduced cost |
| Council microchipping day | Often free or $10–$20 |
| NZCAR registration fee | $15–$25 (one-time) |
| Updating NZCAR contact details | Free (online self-service) |
Many vets include microchipping in puppy or kitten packages at a discounted rate. If cost is a concern, contact your local SPCA — they regularly hold free or subsidised microchipping clinics across New Zealand.
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) is the primary national database for microchipped pets in New Zealand. When your vet microchips your pet, they submit the chip number and your details to NZCAR. You can access your record at nzcar.co.nz.
NZCAR stores:
New Zealand has several microchip registries. Vets can register chips in:
Scanners used by vets and shelters can search across multiple databases simultaneously, so the specific registry your chip is in matters less than ensuring your contact details are current in whichever registry holds your record.
The microchip itself is only as useful as the contact information attached to it. An estimated 30% of microchipped pets in Australasia have out-of-date or incomplete owner details — meaning that even when found and scanned, they cannot be returned.
Every time you move house, change phone number, or change email, you must update your pet’s microchip record. This takes less than five minutes online:
If you rehome or sell a pet, the new owner must update the microchip record to their name and contact details. Both parties should confirm this has been done. NZCAR offers an ownership transfer function online.
Many owners worry that microchipping is painful or distressing for their pet. In practice, the procedure is quick and well-tolerated by most animals.
Very occasionally, a microchip can migrate slightly from the original implant site over time. When scanning a pet, a thorough vet or shelter worker will scan the entire body — not just the shoulder area — to locate a migrated chip. This does not affect the chip’s function.
When you leave your pet with a pet sitter — whether in your home or theirs — there is always a small risk of escape or accidental loss. A microchipped pet has a dramatically higher chance of being returned if they go missing during a sitting stay.
Before your pet stay, make sure:
No — they complement each other. A collar tag is immediately readable by anyone who finds your pet; a microchip requires a scanner. Both together give your pet the best chance of a quick return. Collar tags can fall off or be removed; the microchip is permanent.
This concern arose from a small number of case reports in mice in laboratory settings. Major veterinary organisations worldwide, including the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), have reviewed the evidence and concluded that microchipping is safe. The benefit of identification far outweighs any theoretical risk.
ISO standard 15-digit microchips (the international standard) are readable by scanners used in New Zealand. If your pet was microchipped overseas with an ISO chip, have your vet scan it to confirm the number, then register it in NZCAR and with your local council. Some older non-ISO chips used in the US (10-digit) may require a specific scanner — check with your vet.
Consumer-grade pet microchip scanners are available online (roughly $40–$80 NZD). They allow you to confirm your pet’s chip is still readable and check the number. However, you still need a vet, shelter, or council facility to search the national registry for your details.
Yes. Council registration and NZCAR registration are separate. Council registration records your dog for local bylaws and dog control purposes. NZCAR is what vets, shelters, and animal control officers check when a found animal is scanned. Both records should have your current contact details.
Your pet’s safety starts with preparation.
When you book through ZiggySitters, you can store your pet’s microchip number, vet details, and emergency contacts directly in your profile — so your sitter always has what they need. Find a trusted pet sitter near you today.