It is a legal requirement to get your dog microchipped. (Cats may follow soon)
You must make sure your dog is fitted with a microchip by the time it’s 8 weeks old.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn’t microchipped.
What happens when your dog’s microchipped
Your dog’s microchip is given a number, which will show up whenever your dog is scanned.
The professional who microchips your dog will also take your contact details.
These details are kept alongside the microchip number on a database, so that your dog can be returned to you if it’s lost or stolen.
You must make sure that your dog is registered on one of the following databases (they all meet government standards):
•National Veterinary Data Service
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is registered on a database that isn’t on the list.
Your dog must still wear a collar and tag with your name and address when in a public place.
Updating your details
You’re responsible for keeping your dog’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house.
Contact the database company your dog is registered with to update any of your details.
You might be charged for updating your dog’s microchip information.
Find out where your dog’s registered
You can check the microchip number if you don’t know which database your dog is registered on.
If you don’t have the microchip number, you can ask any of the following to scan your dog for it:
• a vet
• a dog warden
• a dog rescue centre
Buying a dog
You should ask for proof a microchip has been fitted before buying a dog.
You can ask to see any of the following as proof:
• microchip certificate
• vet records
• pet passport
You may also be able to see microchip information in the dog’s pet insurance papers.
You must make sure the microchip details are updated once you have bought the dog.
#ScanMe and #CheckThatChip.
Please remember that although it is compulsory to microchip our dogs it remains optional for the Veterinary profession to scan and check microchip registration on a pet’s first visit, leaving a loophole in the system for stolen or missing pets that have been sold on or kept who will not get back to their registered family.
If you write to your MP you will be informed that it is ‘Best Practice‘ for vets to scan on a pet’s first presentation.
We also heard from Defra Minister George Eustice at the #PetTheftReform debate in Westminster Hall on the 2nd July’18:- “Microchipping also has a potential role in identifying animals that have been stolen. A couple of years ago there was some suggestion that we should legislate to create a legal obligation on vets to scan every animal in their practice to identify animals that might have been stolen. At the time we believed that to be a step too far, but we did work with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to create clear guidance for veterinary practices that there should always be a presumption of checking any new animal presented to them when an owner enrols with the practice.”
You will note the words used, Best Practice and presumption, Defra and Pet owners are swayed into the assumption that vets would scan and cross check microchip registration but sadly this is not true. We have been told many, many times by BVA and RCVS that Best Practice is only a recommendation and vet practices make their own practice policies.
We have asked George Eustice to ask the question what does Best Practice mean, is it a directive?
The Microchipping Of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015
Government Advice:- Microchip your dog
BVA https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/Companion_animals/microchipping-guidance-for-vets.pdf#page2.
