Pups put their paws up for free microchipping at Lambton Park

City of Newcastle (CN) has stepped up its campaign to ensure lost dogs can be more quickly reunited with their owners.

CN Rangers offered free microchipping and registration advice as part of today’s Pups in the Park event at Lambton, which encouraged Novocastrians to take the lead on keeping their four-legged friends safe.

Councillor Katrina Wark, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and Councillor Margaret Wood with City of Newcastle Rangers at the Pups in the Park event at Lambton Park.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said educational events encouraging responsible pet ownership are one of the key actions of CN's Dogs in Open Space Plan. 

"Currently there are more than 65,000 identified canines calling the local government area home, which is one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the state," Cr Clausen said.

"Novocastrians love their dogs and we want to help owners care responsibly for their canine family members as best we can. 

"We also want to make sure our beloved pets are as safe as possible, which is why through the provision of free microchipping and pet registry advice, we can help busy pet owners take these important tasks off their to-do list.

"Each year, our hardworking City of Newcastle Rangers are able to return around 100 lost pets to their worried owners thanks to up-to-date registration details and microchips. 

“But out-of-date registration details, a lack of collar, ID tag or microchip, all make it much harder for our Rangers to make these reunions possible.

"The heartbreak of a lost pet can be easily prevented by taking a few simple registration steps, which our rangers are very happy to help pet owners achieve."

All cats and dogs in NSW, other than exempt animals such as working dogs, must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away. They must also be registered with a one-off lifetime fee before they reach six months of age.

The free microchipping initiative at Pups in the Park, is one of many priority actions being delivered as part of the Dogs in Open Space Plan, which was adopted by CN in 2019. 

The pet-centric plan has been used to inform community education and encourage responsible dog ownership, as well as guide the provision, improvement, and management of off-leash dog areas.

In July 2023, CN celebrated the opening of the city's third fenced off-leash dog park in Maryland, featuring a dog bubbler, shelter with seating, informal sandstone garden beds, and extensive landscaping including trees for shade delivered under the first stage of the project.

 A full list of the city’s off leash areas is available on CN’s website, along with more information about how to register and microchip your pet.