Microchipping your dog or cat

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny computer chip that’s about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a unique code that matches up to your pet’s details, which are registered on an authorised database.

Microchipping a dog or cat is a quick and simple procedure, which takes seconds. The chip is inserted under your pet’s skin, usually around the scruff of the neck, using a needle. Once the microchip is implanted, it will last for your pet’s lifetime.

Your pet can be checked for a microchip using a handheld electronic device, called a scanner. When this is waved over their neck, the scanner will recognise the unique number held inside the chip. Keeping your pet’s microchip details up to date will allow you to be contacted if your pet goes missing.

How much does it cost to microchip a cat or dog?

Depending on where you live, you can expect microchipping by a vet or vet nurse in the UK to cost around £15 – £25.

The cost of getting your pet microchipped often only covers the microchip itself. This means there may also be a small fee when changing your pet’s details.

Why should I microchip my pet?

Each year we look after many lost dogs and cats who must have come from loving homes, but sadly, without a microchip, there is no way of reuniting them with their owners. Microchipping your dog or cat is important because:

it’s compulsory for dogs and will be compulsory for cats from 10 June 2024
you can always be contacted if your pet gets lost or stolen
microchipping makes your pet permanently identifiable, even if their collar or ID tag falls off

Important

It’s important to keep your pet’s microchip details up to date. If you don’t, the chances of you being reunited with your pet if they go missing are much lower.

Do cats have to be microchipped?

As of 10 June 2024 it will be compulsory for all pet cats in England to be microchipped. For cat owners or keepers (the person who the cat normally resides with) this means that:

by 10 June 2024, any owned cat over the age of 20 weeks must be microchipped with the owner’s contact details registered on a compliant database
if you are found to not have your cat microchipped by this date, you will have 21 days to comply
non-compliance may lead to a fine of up to £500

It will not be compulsory for farm or feral cats with little to no interaction with people to be microchipped.

Do dogs have to be microchipped?

Yes, microchipping in dogs has been compulsory in England, Scotland and Wales since 6 April 2016. This means that all dogs must be microchipped under the law. You’ll be required to:

microchip your dog or puppy by the age of eight weeks old and have their details registered on a compliant database
keep your contact details up to date on the database
pay a fee of up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped and registered with a compliant database

Dogs in Northern Ireland are required to be microchipped as part of the conditions of the dog licence.

Note

As well as being microchipped, it is still a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar and tag detailing the owner’s name and address when in a public place.

Microchipping puppies

Breeders must microchip puppies before they are eight weeks of age, which is usually before they go to their new homes. This means that the breeder must be the first registered keeper of the puppy, and they are breaking the law if they do not register the puppy by the time they are eight weeks old.

Breeders should also pass on the correct microchip paperwork. It’s important to transfer ownership and to register your puppy’s microchip with your contact details when you bring your puppy home.

Occasionally, a vet may decide that the puppy should be microchipped when they are older and bigger. If this is the case, the breeder must give you a certificate signed by a vet to prove this, instead of the certificate of registration.

If a breeder has not microchipped and registered the puppy before you take them home, and cannot give you evidence to show the reason for the delay, it’s best to walk away.

Changing your pet’s microchip details

As the registered owner of your dog or cat, it’s your responsibility to keep the contact details on the microchip up to date. This includes changing your details if you move home.

If you are transferring your details as the new owner or keeper of your dog or cat, on the database where your pet’s details are recorded, you must record:

your full name
your address
your telephone number
any changes to your dog or cat’s name

To change your pet’s microchip details, you will need to get in touch with the database that your pet’s microchip is registered with. Depending on the database, you might be able to do this over the phone or online.

If you’re not sure which database your pet is registered to, you can find this information by entering their microchip number into check-a-chip. If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number, your vet will be able to scan the microchip to retrieve these details.

Is it free to change microchip details?

This will depend on the database that your pet’s details are registered with. Most microchip databases charge an admin fee of between £6 and £20 to change and update your pet’s details.

For some databases, this will be a one off fee which will cover all changes over your pet’s lifetime. For others, this fee will be the same each time you change the details. You can check with your database to find out more.

Will microchipping hurt my pet?

Microchipping is a quick procedure, but it does involve a needle and may be uncomfortable for your pet for a few seconds. To avoid any discomfort you may want to ask your vet to place a microchip in your kitten when they are being neutered or spayed.

If you think your dog or cat has had a reaction to a microchip, contact your vet straight away.

Is my pet’s microchip proof of ownership?

No, a microchip alone is not proof of legal ownership. Under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations legislation, the person who cares for the dog and keeps them in their home is called a ‘keeper’, not an ‘owner’. The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 states that a ‘keeper’ is “the person with whom the animal [cat or dog] normally resides.” This person has legal responsibility for their pet, but it does not prove legal ownership.

This means that your dog’s microchip must be registered to the ‘keeper’, who may not always be the owner.

To prove ownership, you may also be asked to provide other evidence including proof of purchase, veterinary records and insurance.