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About Us
About Central Animal Records
Australia’s largest and most-trusted companion animal microchip database
Since 1989, Central Animal Records has helped connect lost pets with their owners through Australia’s leading companion animal microchip database. We work with pet owners, veterinarians, councils and authorised animal welfare organisations across the country to support faster reunions, secure lifelong records and better outcomes for pets.
1989 Established as one of Australia’s first companion animal microchip registries
6M+ Pets listed on the Central Animal Records database
4.5M+ Owners connected through our national registry system
24/7 National recovery support for authorised users and lost pet reunions
What we do
Central Animal Records operates a lifetime microchip listing and recovery system designed to help reunite lost pets with their owners anywhere in Australia. When a found pet's microchip is scanned, authorised users can access the relevant record and use our system to help contact the owner or alternate contact as quickly as possible.
- Lifetime microchip listing linked to owner and pet details
- 24/7 national recovery support for authorised users
- Secure online access for owners to update contact details
- Immediate record visibility for participating authorised users
- Registry services built around compliance, privacy and data integrity
Why it matters
A microchip is only effective when the record behind it is accessible, accurate and supported by a recovery system that works in real life. That is where Central Animal Records plays its role. We help power the connection between a scanned microchip and a successful reunion.
In 2025 alone, Central Animal Records facilitated the recovery of over 325,000 lost pets.
Our initiatives & services
Central Animal Records is more than a national microchip database. Over time, we have built a wider ecosystem of services, programs and brands that support pet identification, recovery, owner value, animal welfare and industry partnerships. Here at Central Animal Records, your pet is more than just a microchip number.
Central Animal Records
National Microchip Database
At the heart of CAR is one of Australia’s largest companion animal microchip registries. Our database supports national pet recovery by helping authorised users identify pets and connect them back to their owners quickly and efficiently.
List your pet →
CARMA for Animals
Animal Welfare Organisation Support
CARMA for Animals is our giving initiative focused on supporting animal welfare organisations across Australia. Through this program, CAR helps contribute to rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming efforts that improve outcomes for vulnerable animals.
Microchips Australia
Companion Animal Microchips
Microchips Australia supplies microchips, readers and more to veterinary practices and animal professionals. It supports the identification side of the ecosystem with products designed for reliability, compliance and practical day-to-day use. Microchips Australia also supplies microchips, readers and remote monitoring systems for use in wildlife and aquacultural projects.
Buy microchips →
CARMA Rewards Club
Membership Platform
CARMA Rewards Club is our premium subscription, providing members with access to hundreds of discounts from our partners, free entry into monthly giveaways and, most importantly, the ability to link additional information to their pet's microchip records. Up to 10% of revenue from memberships is donated to 18 charities and not-for-profit organisations which share our passion for pets, people, wildlife and our environment.
Become a member →
The Daily Scoop
Dog Poo Bags
The Daily Scoop is our dog poo bag brand. Practical, strong and reliable – these bags are designed to make every walk simple and stress-free. Plus, 5% of profits from every sale goes toward supporting animal welfare initiatives, helping pets in need across Australia.
Buy now →
Reunion Stories
Celebrating Happy Reunions
Every reunion matters. Through our Reunion Stories initiative, we celebrate real stories from owners who were reunited with their pets and help raise awareness of how important microchipping and up-to-date contact details can be. The owner who submits the Reunion Story of the Year also receives a prize pack worth over $300.
View reunion stories →
CAR API Solutions
Integration & Data Services
CAR API Solutions supports businesses, platforms and partners that need secure access to database-related workflows and services. These solutions help extend CAR’s infrastructure into new digital environments and ensure better outcomes for lost pets.
Learn more →
SMART Tags
Digital Pet Identification
Our SMART Tag solutions complement permanent identification by giving pets an extra visible ID layer that can help finders act quickly notify owners that their pet has been found. This is done without any owner details being shared with the finder. Our SMART Tags use QR and NFC technology and are also linked to directly to microchip records. This ensures that the new tags do not need to be purchased when owner details change.
Buy now →
Lost Pet Hub
Public Missing Pet Platform
The Lost Pet Hub is a public-facing platform that gives owners another way to seek help from pet owners, vets and rescues in their area when a pet goes missing. It provides a space for visibility, community support and recovery-related information during the search process.
View missing pets →Built to support the entire pet recovery ecosystem
We work closely with veterinary clinics, councils, animal welfare organisations, authorised implanters, breeders, governments and technology partners. Our role is to provide the infrastructure, systems and support that help pet identification work not just in theory, but in practice — 24/7, every day, across Australia.
How we got here
Our history
Established in 1989, Central Animal Records commenced operation as one of Australia’s first animal microchip registries. Since inception, CAR has worked closely with Local and State Governments, animal welfare organisations, the pet industry, practising veterinarians and the Australian Veterinary Association to become one of Australia’s leading companion animal microchip registries.
CAR was the first registry to adopt a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week animal recovery service, ensuring an operator was available any time of the day or night to assist with reuniting owners and their lost or injured pets. In 1998, CAR became the first microchip registry to be approved by Domestic Animal Registries Incorporated. In 2004, CAR became the first microchip registry in Australia to be nationally accredited by the Australian Veterinary Association. In 2006, CAR became the first accredited and audited companion animal microchip registry by the Victorian Government under legislation.
CAR is now also accredited under Queensland legislation and approved in other States and Territories across Australia. In 2017, Central Animal Records took over the management of all data and services previously maintained by the National Pet Register, which at the time was the third largest companion animal microchip registry in Australia.
Today, Central Animal Records is Australia’s largest companion animal microchip registry, with over 6 million animals and 4.5 million owners listed on the database, and has facilitated millions of reunions between lost pets and their owners.