What happens if your dog isn't microchipped?

Microchipping has been compulsory for dogs in England since April 2016, and dogs in England, Scotland and Wales must be microchipped and registered by the time they're 8 weeks old, and Northern Ireland requires dogs to be microchipped to be licensed. Most owners comply, but it's worth knowing what happens if your dog isn't chipped or the details aren't registered properly. For an overview of how microchips work, what they cost and how to update your details, see our guide to dog microchipping.

This article explains how the law is enforced in England under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023.

What the law requires

In England, the keeper of a dog over 8 weeks old must make sure it is microchipped. A dog only counts as microchipped if both of these are true:

• a microchip that meets the legal standard has been implanted
• the required details are recorded on a database that meets government standards

So a chip that was never registered, or is registered on a database that doesn't meet the standard, doesn't meet the law. GOV.UK lists the approved databases.

Certified working dogs are exempt, and so are dogs a vet certifies as unfit to be microchipped for health reasons. The certificate must state how long the exemption lasts.

How the law is enforced

Under regulation 13, an authorised person, such as an officer authorised by your local council, can:

1. Check your dog. They can take possession of a dog without the keeper's consent to check whether it is microchipped.
2. Serve a notice. If the dog isn't microchipped, they can give the keeper a notice requiring them to get it done within 21 days.
3. Chip the dog themselves. If the keeper doesn't comply, they can arrange for the dog to be microchipped without the keeper's consent and recover the cost from the keeper.

Fines

Failing to comply with a 21-day notice is an offence. On conviction, the fine can be up to level 2 on the standard scale, which is £500. GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn't microchipped or isn't registered on an approved database.

Obstructing an authorised officer is also an offence.

Selling, rehoming or buying a dog

The regulations say a keeper must not pass a dog to a new keeper unless it's microchipped, or a vet has certified it can't be chipped for health reasons. When a dog changes hands, the new keeper must record their name, address and phone number on the database, unless the previous keeper has already done so.

When you get a dog, GOV.UK advises asking for proof that a microchip has been fitted, such as a microchip certificate, vet records or a pet passport.

If your dog isn't microchipped

Don't wait to be told. Ask your vet, local council or a rescue centre if they can microchip your dog. Some charge a fee. Then make sure your dog is registered on an approved database in your name.

If you've bought a dog that isn't chipped or registered to you

• Ask a vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your dog to find the chip number.
• Use the number to find which database it's on, and contact them to transfer the record to you.
• If there's no chip, get one fitted and registered.
• If you bought a puppy that wasn't chipped, the seller broke the law, and you can report it to your local council.

A microchip doesn't replace a collar and tag

In public places in England, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires your dog to wear a collar with your name and address on it or on an attached tag. This applies even if your dog is microchipped.