Skip to main content

Story: Pets

Inserting a microchip

Image
Inserting a microchip

A microchip is inserted into the neck of a Dunedin puppy. From 1 July 2006, all dogs first registered (except working farm dogs), and all dogs deemed to be dangerous or menacing, had to have a microchip transponder implanted under their skin. Each transponder has a unique number that relates to a national database with details of the dog and its owner. If the dog strays or becomes a problem it is easier to locate the owner.

Using this item

Otago Daily Times

Permission of the Otago Daily Times must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Pets – When good pets go bad, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/19755/inserting-a-microchip (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 1 March 2009.