Pet Identification and Ownership

The preferred method of identification and ownership in all pets is the placement of a small microchip under the skin. The chip is placed with very little discomfort, just like an injection. Each microchip has a unique code, after the microchip is implanted the owners’ contact details are registered with a central database.

If the pet is then found away from home, most vets, animal charities and local authorities will have a scanner to identify the unique number. The owner can then be located via the microchip company database linked to the microchip number.

Unfortunately hundreds of thousands of pets that go missing each year are not reunited with their owners because they are not microchipped.

It has now become a legal requirement that all dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old. In England, your cat must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be.

Please click here for more information.

Furthermore, The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable).