May is chip your pet month

Microchips help reunite lost, stolen and injured pets with their owners as quickly as possible.

Microchips are a rice size implant that is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades.

Each microchip has a unique number and when it is scanned it shows the number.

Vets, police, dog wardens and rescue centres have microchip scanners.

They would scan the lost/stolen pet then contact the microchip database.

The database contains the owners contact details so they would be able to get in touch the the pets owner.

It is important that you keep your details up to date.

It is a legal requirement that you microchip your dog they should also wear a collar with a name tag with your contact details on the tag. I’m

Microchips are implanted by vets and veterinary nurses and people who have been trained.

The professional who microchips your pet will register them by passing your details on to your microchip database company. They will need your name, address, phone number, pet’s details, and ideally an emergency contact.

The microchip company will write to you or email within two weeks.  If you do not here from them you would need to get in touch  with them as this may mean your pet is chipped but not registered.

Microchips cost around £10 - £20

New puppy or re-homed pet

If you have just brought a new puppy home, by law they should already be microchipped and registered with the breeder (unless they have an exemption certificate). When you collect your puppy, the breeder should give you a form/special code that enables you to update their details with their microchip database company.

If you rehome or sell a pet, you need to contact their microchip database company to let them know. They will give you a form or code to pass on to your pet’s new owner enabling them to change the details linked to the microchip. This process is designed to prevent people from changing a pet’s microchip details without the owner’s permission (i.e. if they were stolen).

Lost or stolen dogs

If your pet is lost or stolen, phone your microchip database company to let them know ASAP. They will check your details are up to date, flag your pet as lost/stolen, and contact you straight away if they are found.

I need to change my microchip details?

Contact your microchip company directly - there may be a fee for this. Sometimes you can pay a one-off fee that allows you to then make unlimited changes for your dog’s lifetime.

Myth buster: Microchips are not linked to GPS and do not allow you to track your dog’s location.

Thank you for reading

Cheryl