Ziggy is one the animals who didn’t have a microchip – it’s believed to be around 12-years-old.

“There’s no way to tell, and no way to tell who owns it, there’s no permanent identification,” Lithgow City Council ranger Bob said.

“This is why Ziggy has to be transferred to a rescue organisation.”

Elyshia Callis runs Woof Dog Rescue and transported Ziggy to his new home.

“I see it way too often, dogs need to have a microchip,” Ms Callis said.

“Without a microchip we don’t know what name is, how old they are, or where they’re from, we know nothing.”

Lithgow’s dog and cat owners will be able to get a free microchip on February 26 and March 11 thanks to a state government grant from the responsible pet ownership fund.

Bob, whose job includes collecting stray animals, said microchips meant an enormous difference to rangers, and pet owners.

“When we do pickup a stray in the street, we can take it straight home to the owner,” Bob said.

“Instead of taking it to the shelter, waiting five to seven day wondering who it belongs to and waiting for a call.”

Bob said it also meant pet owners wouldn’t be charged release fees to cover the care provided to their cats and dogs, and ratepayers money could be used for other projects

He said there were a large number of animals the city’s three rangers dealt with on a daily basis.

“The number of strays will hopefully be reduced, there will be less animals in the shelter and less risk an animal may be put down,” Bob said.

Lithgow’s animal shelter has recently been refurbished providing up to 15 pens and enough room for up to 12 cats.

Bob said since rangers began focusing in ensuring animals were microchipped, the number of strays had fallen by 25 per cent.

By offering free microchipping to residents, it’s hoped they will reduce the number of unclaimed strays even further.

Bob said stray animals came from across the region.

“We had an animal picked up at Yetholme, the dog was taken to Lithgow, we scanned it and returned it to it’s owner,” he said.

“Without the microchip, it would have stayed until it could be re-homed.

“We’ve had dogs from Mudgee and even Dubbo, often people will rescue dogs and take them to the nearest shelter on the highway, that can often be Lithgow or Katoomba.

“A microchip means where ever the animal ends up, they can go straight home.”

To get a free microchip for your dog or cat, contact Lithgow City Council on 6354 9999.