Microchip your pet
Compulsory microchipping for dogs and cats in the UK
From 6th April 2016 government legislation means that in the UK, it will be a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped.
In England from 10 June 2024 it will be compulsory to have your cat microchipped from 20 weeks of age, but there is no minimum age to have your cat microchipped.
If your dog or cat isn’t microchipped yet, we can help you, please give us a call on 020 8311 5990 or 020 8300 8080 to book an appointment.
What is Microchipping?
The implantation is similar to an injection, but the needle is slightly larger, as the microchip is a similar size to a grain of rice. The initial placement of the needle may cause some discomfort, as with any injection, but it is brief, and placement only takes a few seconds. The microchip has a unique number which we register to the national database with the owner details, and if the pet is lost and microchip scanned, then the number will come up on the scanner, and the surgery or dog warden can then contact Tracer, the database, for the client information. It is the owners responsibility to keep their details up to date, and this is also a part of the new legislation.
Why get your pet micro-chipped?
Many kittens and puppies are microchipped at the same time as being spayed or neutered, when they are already under general anaesthetic. It is recommended to have your pet microchipped before they go outside for the first time.
Microchipping offers cats or dogs a safe and permanent method of identification and increases the chances of a lost cat being safely reunited with their owner.
Microchipping is the most effective way of identifying a lost pet. Microchips don’t come off, or put pets at risk of collar related injuries. They can also assist with ownership disputes – although please note that a microchip is not absolute proof of ownership, but may be presented as evidence. Each microchip has a unique 15 digit number linked to a database holding your contact details, allowing you to be quickly traced if you pet strays and is scanned for a microchip.
The procedure A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the cat’s skin between the shoulder blades with a dedicated device known as an implanter. The procedure is very simple and is no more painful than an injection. Your pet will not be aware of the microchip’s presence once it has been inserted.
Keep your details up to date
Keeping your details up to date is vital to ensuring you can be contacted – many pets are unfortunately not reunited with their owners due to forgetting to update their details. Here are our three easy steps for updating your microchip.
1. Get your microchip number Keep your microchip number stored away so you can have it to hand. Not sure what it might be? Call your vet to see if they have it in their records, or take your pet to the vet to have them scanned.
2. Get your microchip brand Lost your original paperwork? You may be able to check your details by entering their number using Petlog’s look-up tool.
3. Update Now that you have your pet's number and contact information of the brand they are registered with, call them or go to their website to update your details.
If your dog or cat is already microchipped, you please make sure your contact details are up to date on the Petlog database You can contact them on 01296 336 579 to let them know your new contact information (you will need your pet’s microchip number to do this).