Microchipping your dog
Thousands of dogs become lost each year and are never reunited with their owners. By microchipping your dog you will permanently link your dog to you. The law requires you to have your dog microchipped.
Microchipping for dog breeders and people with young puppies
We advise breeders and people with young puppies to go to their vet to have their animals microchipped. This is because of the risk of bringing puppies into contact with diseases before their vaccinations.
How does microchipping work?
Microchipping a dog involves injecting a tiny microchip into the scruff of a dog's neck. Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip has its own unique code. The code is stored on one of the nationwide databases along with the owner's details. If a stray dog is found anywhere within the UK it will be scanned. If a microchip is present, its code can be matched to the relevant database. The owner is successfully identified and the dog returned.
What if my details change?
Owner details can be easily amended on the database. Details on how to do this are provided when your dog is microchipped. If you cannot find the paperwork the Environmental Enforcement Officers or your vet can scan your dog for you and get the microchip number and advise you which database to contact to update your details.
If a stray dog is collected by the council and the microchip details are incorrect, the Environmental Enforcement Officers will advise you when you come to collect your dog. The owner will be issued with a 'Notice to update microchip details' which gives them 21 days to update the details on the microchip. Failure to comply can result in a £500 Fine.
My dog wears a collar and tag, why should it be microchipped as well?
By law, all dogs that are on the highway or in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed somewhere on it. Microchipping does not remove this requirement. Collars can be maliciously removed or break and the tags can sometimes fall off and be lost. By microchipping your dog you can ensure you and your dog's details can always be identified.
All dogs must now be microchipped by law. A breeder has legal responsibility to microchip puppies by 8 weeks of age, before they are sold.
If my dog is microchipped do I still have to pay if it is collected as a stray?
Yes, although the fee is likely to be smaller, as it should be quicker to reunite you with your dog. Our Environmental Enforcement Officers still have to collect your dog and keep it safe while we contact you. If we are unable to contact you, or the contact details are incorrect, we will follow the standard procedure for stray dogs.
What happens if my dog is not microchipped?
When an owner of a stray dog comes to collect their dog they will be issued with a 'Notice to Microchip'. This Notice gives the owner 21 days to have their dog microchipped or they could be prosecuted and receive a £500 Fine.