As of 6th April 2016, all dogs in the UK are legally required to be microchipped and their details registered on one of a number of authorised databases. However, it's also recommended that you microchip cats and other pets. You can read more about microchipping and registering your pet below.
Although you might not want to think about it: pets do go missing. In fact more than 500,000 cats and dogs are reported missing in the UK each year. And plenty of other pets go AWOL too. Thankfully, the microchip registration scheme ensures that many are ultimately reunited with their owners. Are you planning on boarding your pet or do you have a pet sitter take care of your cat or dog? Then it's even more important that your pet is microchipped. Indeed, animals are unpredictable, especially when their situation changes: if they have a new pet sitter or are temporarily staying at another home, then there's an increased risk they may run off. So, whilst it's good to be extra vigilant, and ensure that your dog is always on a lead for example, microchip registration is an absolute must.
If your pet benefits from a microchip under his skin, then it can be read using special microchip readers. Most veterinarians, animal shelters and rescue centres possess such a reader. The reader will reveal the chip's registration number, with the help of which one can look up the owner's name, address and phone number under which said chip number is registered with the organisation in charge - provided that the chip is correctly registered. This way, the missing animal can be returned to its owner.
Proper registration
It's therefore essential that your pet's microchip data remains current: that the correct contact details are listed in the database and not, for example, a previous address or former owner. Surprisingly, many pets are microchipped without actually being registered, which defeats the entire purpose. Always ensure that your pet is not only microchipped, but that he is registered and the information up to date. You can find their microchip number in the certificate from the pet microchip database, their pet passport (if you have one), your pet insurance documentation, or your pet's veterinary records. These days you can usually update the relevant database online.
Has your pet gone missing? Or have you perhaps found a suspected missing pet? Fortunately a vet can easily determine whether the animal is microchipped and the owner is often tracked down extremely quickly. You can also report a lost or found pet at Animal Search UK. Thanks to their database of missing pets, many pets and owners have been reunited.
Has your pet been microchipped? And is the registration still in order? Check today, without delay!
