Microchipping
Under The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, you must make sure your dog or cat is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database.
Dogs must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old, and Cats in England must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors.
Having your dog or cat microchipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet's chances of getting home if lost. Unlike cat or dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a permanent form of identification.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be or if they’re not registered on a government approved database.
Certified working dogs are exempt as are dogs with a vet's certificate to say they are too ill to be microchipped. Working dogs are those that have a vet's certificate and are used for law enforcement, the armed forces, emergency rescue, lawful pest control or the lawful shooting of animals. Racing greyhounds are not classed as working dogs for this legislation and must have a microchip.
Who can microchip your cat or dog?
People cannot microchip their own dog. Your pet’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional.
You can ask your vet, local council or local rescue and rehoming centre if they can microchip your dog or cat. They might charge a fee.
Updating your details
You’re responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house. If you sell or give away your dog or cat, it must be microchipped, and the new owner must update the information on the microchip database (unless you have already done this).
Contact the database company your dog or cat is registered with to update any of your details. You might be charged a fee for updating your pet’s microchip information.
Find out where your dog or cat is registered:
You can check the microchip number if you do not know which database your pet is registered on.
If you do not have the microchip number, you can ask any of the following to scan your dog or cat for it:
- a vet
- a dog warden
- a rescue centre