The service will be provided on Tuesday, May 22 at 94 Bank Street, Molong (opposite the Council offices) and on Wednesday May 23 at the council’s Canowindra depot in Armstrong Street on the northern outskirts of the town.

Both sessions will run from 10am to 1pm.

Owners will not be limited to the number of dogs or cats they can have microchipped, but must book a time slot for each animal.

Pet owners must be aged 18 years or over and all dogs and cats must be on a leash or in a cage.

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification.

The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet's neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. The microchip number is recorded on a database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should your pet stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.

It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that if you move house or change your phone number you will still be contactable in the event of your pet becoming lost/stray.

Microchipping for cats and dogs is mandatory in NSW.

A limited number of free dog or cat tri-annual vaccination vouchers is also be available for Cabonne residents only and can be obtained by contacting the council’s Environmental Services Department on 6392 3247.

The vouchers are limited to one per household and can be redeemed at Molong, Canowindra and Orange veterinary clinics. Vouchers must be used before Friday June 29.