Microchipping and Registration

A responsible pet owner should send their pet for microchipping. Microchipping and licensing or registration of the microchipped pet with AVS ensures that your pet can be traced and returned to you if it goes missing. Dogs, cats, large birds and rabbits are some examples of pets that can be microchipped. 

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny transponder the size of a grain of rice. It is a permanent identification system that is implanted under your pet's skin and read by a microchip scanner. It is strongly recommended that microchips conform to ISO (International Standards Organisation) standards 11784 or 11785.

How is microchipping done?

The microchip will be implanted under the loose skin between your pet’s shoulder blades using an injector. The microchip will reveal a code that is unique to the pet when the chip is scanned.

Why is microchipping recommended?

A microchip carries a unique identification code. If this code is not registered in a database with contact details of its owner, the microchipped pet cannot be traced to its owner

Microchips are the best form of permanent identification for your pet. Microchipped pets have a higher chance of being returned to their owners should they go missing. 

Even though your pet may have visible forms of identification, such as a collar tag or a tattoo, these can come loose or fade over time, and your pet’s vital information would go missing.

A tattoo may fade or blur over time, and is difficult to find on a lost, frightened pet that may be reluctant to let strangers search its body for identification.

Microchipping is also a responsible breeder’s assurance to buyers that puppies being sold are traceable and identifiable.

How do I register my microchipped pet with AVS?

Pet dogs are required to be licensed and have their microchip registered under the Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control) Rules. Please refer to Licensing a Pet for more details on how to license your pet dog.

 

Owners (e.g. large birds and rabbits) and caregivers (e.g. community cats) are strongly encouraged to microchip and register the animals with AVS. Details on the animal breed, pet owner name and contact number can be registered in AVS’ microchip registry here, and follow the steps below.

• For SingPass Users, login via your SingPass account. For non-SingPass users, create a new account via the “Request New account” link.
• From the “Welcome” page, go to “Microchip/Tag Data Submission” on the menu, and click on “Microchip Submission (For Individual)”.
• Select the “animal type”.
• Proceed to fill in the necessary information and submit.