If you have questions about microchipping your pet, we’ve got you covered in this article.
If you own a dog or a cat in England, microchipping is a legal requirement. For dogs, this has been the law since 6 April 2016, and for cats, since 10 June 2024. If your pet isn’t microchipped, you could face a hefty fine of up to £500.
Microchipping rules can differ for other types of pets such as horses, rabbits and other small animals – which we’ll get into more below.
All dogs in England, Scotland, and Wales must be microchipped by the time they’re eight weeks old. The chip must be registered to an approved database with the owner’s up-to-date contact details.
If you’ve recently bought or adopted a dog, make sure the chip is transferred into your name. A chip registered to someone else’s details won’t meet the legal requirement.
As well as being microchipped, your dog must also wear a collar and tag with their owner’s name and address when in a public place.
For more information, read our dog microchipping guide.
Since 10th June 2024, all cats in England must be microchipped by the time they reach 20 weeks old. This applies to all owned cats – whether they go outdoors or not.
Feral cats and cats with minimal human contact (such as farm cats) don’t need to be microchipped.
If your cat was already over 20 weeks old when the law came in, they should have been microchipped by the deadline. Unsure whether your cat is chipped? Your vet can scan them for free and let you know.
For more information, read our cat microchipping guide.
Microchipping is compulsory for all horses, ponies, donkeys, and related equines in the UK. This has been the law since 2009. Horses must be microchipped and have a valid horse passport.
Although there’s currently no legal requirement to microchip rabbits in the UK, we strongly recommend it – especially for rabbits who spend time outdoors. This will significantly improve the chances of a lost rabbit being found and safely returned to their owner. Ask your vet for more information.
There’s no legal requirement to microchip small animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, or birds. If your pet is a keen escape artist or you’d just like some extra peace of mind, speak to your vet about the options available to you.
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip – about the size of a grain of rice – that is implanted under your pet’s skin. It contains a unique number that links to your contact details on a national database. So, if your pet is ever lost or stolen, a vet, rescue centre, or local authority can scan the chip and contact you directly.
Unlike a collar and tag, a microchip cannot fall off or be removed. It’s a permanent, reliable way of identifying your pet – but only if your details are kept up to date.
A microchip is only as useful as the information linked to it. If you move house, change your phone number, or rehome your pet, you need to update the details on the microchip database. There may be a small fee involved, depending on your provider.
If you’re not sure which database your pet is registered on, visit check-a-chip.co.uk or ask your vet to scan the chip and help you track down the provider.
The procedure is quick – similar to a standard injection – and most animals tolerate it well. Some may experience mild discomfort, but no anaesthetic is required. If your pet is already being seen for another procedure (such as neutering), the microchip can often be implanted at the same time.
Costs vary depending on your vet. Some animal charities and local authorities offer low-cost or free microchipping events, so it’s worth looking into the options in your local area.
You’ll need to transfer the chip registration into your name. Contact the database your pet is registered with to update the owner details. If you’re adopting through a reputable organisation like Woodgreen, you’ll be guided through the steps involved.
No. Microchipping must be carried out by a trained professional – usually a vet, vet nurse, or accredited implanter. It cannot be done at home.
We know this can be a stressful time, but it’s important to contact your microchip database provider as soon as possible to report your pet as missing. They can flag the chip number so that anyone who scans your pet will be alerted immediately. You should also contact local vets, rescue centres, and your local council’s dog warden service. This will offer the best chance of being reunited with your pet.
If you’d like more advice about microchipping or any aspect of pet ownership, our friendly team at Woodgreen is here to help. Get in touch with Woodgreen today.
As well as being a legal requirement in the UK, microchipping your dog can also give you the best chance of being reunited if they ever go missing.
Read more about 'Everything you need to know about dog microchipping'
Got questions on cat microchipping? We’ve got the answers in this article!
Read more about 'Cat microchipping – Everything you need to know'
At Woodgreen, our dedicated team of behavioural and training specialists offer expert pet advice online, on the phone and in person – helping at every step of the pet ownership journey.
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