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If you’re spitting chips about missing last Saturday’s “microchipping day” for pets in Whyalla don’t worry … we’re going to do it again.
City of Whyalla officers and vet Dr Mustafa Bozkurt were in the dog park on Saturday to provide $10 microchips for residents’ pets. This was a massive saving for pet owners with the cost normally around $30 or up to $55.
Whyalla residents took full advantage with 257 pets microchipped in four hours including 223 dogs chipped and 34 cats.
“This was a fantastic turn out and a real success for our proactive program,” Manager Environmental Healthy and Regulatory Samantha Bowman said.
“A big thank you the council team who worked really hard and also to Dr Bozkurt for implanting the microchips.”
Due to the response from residents, council will be endeavouring to have another two $10 microchipping days before July next year.
“Given the success of the day we will be looking to hold a couple more of the days in early 2018 before the mandatory provisions kick into effect on July 1,” Ms Bowman said.
From July 1 all dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with council. Expiation notices will be issued to owners who fail to meet legislative requirements.
The new animal laws also include compulsory desexing of all dogs and cats born from that day with all persons wishing to breed requiring to be registered breeders. Heavy fines will apply for people keeping dogs and cats that are not desexed if they are not registered breeders.
All dogs will be required to be desexed by six months but there’s exemptions for working livestock dogs.
For more information on animal management in Whyalla go to http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=805
Pictured - Top: An 8-week kitten has a "mini" chip put in. Clockwise from left above: Dr Bozkurt implants a chip; council officers Samantha Bowman and Katrina Popplewell man the registration table; residents line up to get their pets chipped and council officer Summa Milligan with two pooches ready to be chipped.