Microchipping is is now compulsory by law in the UK as of the 6th april 2016. Microchipping your pet gives you peace of mind, should your pet go missing they are then able to be located through their chip.
The law on microchipping
The law was changed to protect all dogs over the age of 8 weeks old. The law covers the following points:
- Owners details are to be kept up-to-date and legitimately stored with the microchip database.
- All dogs over the age of 8 weeks old must be microchipped.
- Your dog must always wear their tag and collar with your contact details on.
- If your dog is scanned and they do not have a microchip then you will be served 21 days to resolve this or be faced with a £500 fine.
What is a microchip?
The chip is a size of a small grain of rice and is implanted under your pet's skin; which is then placed between their shoulder blades. When your pet is scanned the chip will show up with their unique reference identification number. This identification number is logged with the microchip company and stored on the national database. This identification number is linked up to your contact details. So, if your pet goes missing they are easily able to locate them back to their rightful owner. This is why it is so important to keep your personal details up-to-date.
Where can I get my pet microchipped?
All veterinary practises offer microchipping or can direct you to the best place that does. The microchip should always be done by a professional and qualified vet.
How much does the microchip cost?
The costs varies between veterinary practises. There are some charities that offer this service for free, so you will need to search locally to see if this is an option.
Can the microchip break in my dog's body?
All microchips are hardwearing and will last throughout your pet's life. They can sometimes move a little away from where they were originally planted. This is perfectly normal and won't hurt your pet. The chip will always be picked up by the scanner even if the chip has moved. In rare cases the microchip can fail and if this happens you can contact the microchip company and have this placed free of charge.
Does microchipping hurt?
No it doesn't hurt your pet. The microchip is entered into your pet's body a similar why to a normal injection. The microchip is made up of non-reactive material so it doesn't cause any issues to your pet throughout their life.
What do I do if my personal details change?
It is very important that your personal details are kep-up-to-date. If anything changes you will need to contact the company and provide them with your new details.
What should I do if I sell or rehome my pet?
You will need to give the new owners the details of the microchip company and then change the registration over to them. You won’t need to remove or place a new microchip.
What should I do if my pet is stolen or lost?
You will need to phone the microchip company immediately and let them know what's happened. The will flag your pets details so if your pet is scanned by a vet it will show up straight away.
