Dogs and cats are required to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and registered by six-months, however a high proportion of pets that wind up at the pound are not microchipped, making it difficult for them to reunited with their owners.

"It is a requirement by law, but more importantly if a pet is lost a microchip can easily be scanned and the owners can be contacted,so long as their details are up to date, and the pet can go home," Mr Rebetzke from Needy Paws said.

“If they are microchipped when they are lost we can always get them home.”

The benefits of microchipping pets is twofold, not only can they be returned home but the amount of time they spend in the pound can be reduced, which will minimise the cost to council and ratepayers.  

“It doesn’t matter how clean the pound is or how good of a condition it is in, pets will be exposed to unnecessary stress and disease,” Mr Rebetzke added.

“Pounds cost millions to run, which comes at a huge cost to council and ratepayers. More microchipped pets could come as a saving to the community.”

More than 400,000 families across Australia move or relocate with their pets each year and council’s acting compliance coordinator, Anthony Napoli, said it is important pet owners update their information because doing so could be the difference between being reunited with their pet and never seeing them again.

“A microchipped pet with up to date details will nearly always be reunited,” Mr Napoli said.

“Nothing gives our team greater pleasure than to see a rapid reunification between pets and owners. By making sure that your pet’s microchip and tag details are up to date, you ensure the shortest possible separation.”

In an effort to get more pets microchipped, Needy Paws will be holding a microchipping and adoption day at Pets Domain on Saturday between 10am and 2pm. Both cats and dogs can be microchipped for $15.