About Microchipping
The Gov.uk legislation
You must make sure your dog or cat is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database.
Your dog must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old.
Your cat must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be (Gov.uk, 2024).
The Benefits
- Peace of mind to you and your family knowing if your pet is lost, they have a higher chance of being reunited.
- Microchipping in the pets own environment reduces the stress to pets.
- Arranging an appointment at home saves you time and the inconvenience of travelling and waiting.
- Using an independent microchipping service means you as the customer can decide from a range of microchip suppliers and databases to register your pets. This gives you options to match your requirements and budget
What is a microchip
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 with a needle subcutaneously (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 microchip database registry with details about the animal and owner. Pet owners need to ensure their contact details are recorded on the database against their pet’s microchip number. Should your pet wander 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/straying.
Aftercare
Your pet doesn't need any special care but as a precaution;
Refrain from touching the implanting area for 2 hours.
Do not bath your pet for 48 hours
Occasionally a small bump may appear. This should go after a few days.
Don't use Flea or worming treatment for a few days.
Issues or reactions from microchipping are very rare but if you are worried about your pet, please contact a vet.
Don't forget to register your pets microchip and keep the details updated.