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Microchipping Your Pet - How It Works | RSPCA

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Microchipping your pet gives them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they get lost or stolen. Learn more about the process.

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Welsh Ministers have approved legislation requiring the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in Wales from April 2016.

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This is a link to the .GOV site for UK information on Microchipping dogs.

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How to get your dog or cat fitted with a microchip: when to get it done, who can do it, how to update your details, what to do when getting a dog or cat

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adverts for microchipping dogs - Bing images

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Is Micro Chipping Dogs Safe Bennefits Micro Chipping Dogs Micro Chipping Dogs Pros and Cons How Does Micro Chipping Dogs Work How Much Is Micro Chipping Dogs Micro Chipping Laboratory Dog Home Again Animal Microchip Microchip Pet Microchip Puppy Micro Chipping Cat Microchip Microchip Needle Cartoon Dog Micro Chipping Dogs

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As of Wednesday April 6, the dog microchipping law is changing and if you don't abide by it, you could be fined.

If you don't know all about the new rules and what you need to do, we've got all of the information from the RSPCA and Dog's Trust.

What is changing?

From Wednesday April 6, it is compulsory to have your dog microchipped . It will be a legal requirement under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

You should have your dog chipped before April 6.

As part of the new law, it is also essential that you keep your registered details up to date. This includes your address if you move house or change your telephone number.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a quick procedure when a vet puts a tiny chip (roughly the size of a grain of rice) under the skin between the dog's shoulder blades. Each chip has its own unique code and so your dog can then be scanned and matched with your details.

The details are held on individual databases which are linked together.

Some dogs who are nervous about visiting the vet may get a little stressed, but having a microchip implanted does not hurt.

It is no different to having an injection. Vets are used to chipping much smaller animals than dogs, but if you do have a small breed and are concerned, you can opt for a mini microchip.

What is the importance of microchipping?

If you lose your dog or it is stolen, you are more likely to be reunited because if a dog is microchipped it can be scanned and identified and returned to its owner.

Lee Paris, campaigns manager at charity the Dogs Trust, says: "Having a dog microchipped should give owners peace of mind, because all dogs have the capacity to escape, no matter how responsible the owner is. This will make it much easier to reunite worried owners with their pets."

Nearly 120,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, and less than half of those are reunited with their owners. That leaves local councils and animal welfare charities facing a £57million bill to care for and re-home these unfortunate animals.

And nearly 7,000 dogs have to be put down each year because no one can care for them.

How much does it cost to get your dog microchipped?

The price can vary from place to place. Some animal charities and organisations offer free microchipping and vets can charge around £15, although some may be cheaper or more expensive.

Where can I get my dog microchipped?

You should contact your local vet to arrange for your dog to be microchipped. The vet will then use a microchip assigned to a specific database such as www.petlog.org.uk or www.anibase.com

Local animal charities and organisations also offer microchipping programmes, as do some local authorities.

What age do puppies need to be microchipped?

Any dog over the age of eight weeks will be legally required to be microchipped and registered to an approved database by April 6.

It is up to the breeder to have the puppy microchipped and then for the new owner to ensure the details are changed and are up to date.

A dog is only exempt from being microchipped if a vet certifies in writing that it cannot be microchipped for health reasons.

What happens if I don't get my dog microchipped?

If your dog isn't microchipped or registered to an approved database you could be given a notice ordering you to microchip your dog.

You will then have 21 days to do so or you may be liable to pay a £500 fine and could face criminal prosecution.

If your contact details change and you do not update your details on the database, then you could also receive a notice and may be liable to pay a fine of £500.

If I'm selling my dog, what should I do?

You should always have your dog microchipped and registered before selling it on. It is then down to the new owner to change the registered information over so that it matches their details.

How can I find out if my dog is microchipped or if my details are up-to-date?

If your dog is microchipped, you should have a confirmation letter or email including an ID or reference number as well as a microchip number.

If you know which database your pet's details are on, then you can log in and check it to see if your details are up-to-date. Or you can call the database and ask.

To find out if your dog is microchipped, or to find out the microchip number, take him along to your local vet and have him scanned. Once you have the microchip number, you can put it in online to find out who it is registered with.

What if my dog's microchip doesn't work properly?

Microchips are designed to cover the dog's lifespan but occasionally they fail to work.

Anyone who finds that an implanted microchip has migrated (moved), failed, or causes an adverse reaction in the animal, must report it to the microchip adverse event reporting scheme run by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

What if a puppy has been imported? Will these microchips work?

All microchips inserted in the EU should be compatible and should work, if the puppy is legally imported, and the details accessed through the European databases.

However, occasionally a puppy will have a microchip that is not readable. You will need to have the dog microchipped within 30 days of importing if this is the case.

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Do you know about the changes to the dog microchipping law?

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As of Wednesday April 6, the dog microchipping law is changing and if you don't abide by it, you could be fined. If you don't know all about the new rules and what you need to do, we've got all of the information from the RSPCA and Dog's Trust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As of Wednesday April 6, the dog microchipping law is changing and if you don't abide by it, you could be fined.

If you don't know all about the new rules and what you need to do, we've got all of the information from the RSPCA and Dog's Trust.

What is changing?

From Wednesday April 6, it is compulsory to have your dog microchipped . It will be a legal requirement under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

You should have your dog chipped before April 6.

As part of the new law, it is also essential that you keep your registered details up to date. This includes your address if you move house or change your telephone number.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a quick procedure when a vet puts a tiny chip (roughly the size of a grain of rice) under the skin between the dog's shoulder blades. Each chip has its own unique code and so your dog can then be scanned and matched with your details.

The details are held on individual databases which are linked together.

Some dogs who are nervous about visiting the vet may get a little stressed, but having a microchip implanted does not hurt.

It is no different to having an injection. Vets are used to chipping much smaller animals than dogs, but if you do have a small breed and are concerned, you can opt for a mini microchip.

What is the importance of microchipping?

If you lose your dog or it is stolen, you are more likely to be reunited because if a dog is microchipped it can be scanned and identified and returned to its owner.

Lee Paris, campaigns manager at charity the Dogs Trust, says: "Having a dog microchipped should give owners peace of mind, because all dogs have the capacity to escape, no matter how responsible the owner is. This will make it much easier to reunite worried owners with their pets."

Nearly 120,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, and less than half of those are reunited with their owners. That leaves local councils and animal welfare charities facing a £57million bill to care for and re-home these unfortunate animals.

And nearly 7,000 dogs have to be put down each year because no one can care for them.

How much does it cost to get your dog microchipped?

The price can vary from place to place. Some animal charities and organisations offer free microchipping and vets can charge around £15, although some may be cheaper or more expensive.

Where can I get my dog microchipped?

You should contact your local vet to arrange for your dog to be microchipped. The vet will then use a microchip assigned to a specific database such as www.petlog.org.uk or www.anibase.com

Local animal charities and organisations also offer microchipping programmes, as do some local authorities.

What age do puppies need to be microchipped?

Any dog over the age of eight weeks will be legally required to be microchipped and registered to an approved database by April 6.

It is up to the breeder to have the puppy microchipped and then for the new owner to ensure the details are changed and are up to date.

A dog is only exempt from being microchipped if a vet certifies in writing that it cannot be microchipped for health reasons.

What happens if I don't get my dog microchipped?

If your dog isn't microchipped or registered to an approved database you could be given a notice ordering you to microchip your dog.

You will then have 21 days to do so or you may be liable to pay a £500 fine and could face criminal prosecution.

If your contact details change and you do not update your details on the database, then you could also receive a notice and may be liable to pay a fine of £500.

If I'm selling my dog, what should I do?

You should always have your dog microchipped and registered before selling it on. It is then down to the new owner to change the registered information over so that it matches their details.

How can I find out if my dog is microchipped or if my details are up-to-date?

If your dog is microchipped, you should have a confirmation letter or email including an ID or reference number as well as a microchip number.

If you know which database your pet's details are on, then you can log in and check it to see if your details are up-to-date. Or you can call the database and ask.

To find out if your dog is microchipped, or to find out the microchip number, take him along to your local vet and have him scanned. Once you have the microchip number, you can put it in online to find out who it is registered with.

What if my dog's microchip doesn't work properly?

Microchips are designed to cover the dog's lifespan but occasionally they fail to work.

Anyone who finds that an implanted microchip has migrated (moved), failed, or causes an adverse reaction in the animal, must report it to the microchip adverse event reporting scheme run by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

What if a puppy has been imported? Will these microchips work?

All microchips inserted in the EU should be compatible and should work, if the puppy is legally imported, and the details accessed through the European databases.

However, occasionally a puppy will have a microchip that is not readable. You will need to have the dog microchipped within 30 days of importing if this is the case.

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Do you know about the changes to the dog microchipping law?

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As of Wednesday April 6, the dog microchipping law is changing and if you don't abide by it, you could be fined. If you don't know all about the new rules and what you need to do, we've got all of the information from the RSPCA and Dog's Trust.

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Getting your dog microchipped is a legal requirement, and can help reunite you if they ever get lost.

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For many people, the word 'microchip' will bring to mind images of computers and other tech items, but this tiny little invention can also be the saving grace for many dog owners.

It's becoming more and more common today for pet owners to opt to have a small microchip inserted into their pet, so if they ever go missing, you're much more likely to be able to track them down. It's amazing to think that a microchip roughly the same size as a grain of rice can hold important information about your much loved pet!

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny piece of equipment that's made up of a glass cylinder containing a very small chip. If you decide to microchip your dog, they'll be issued with an identification number which will be transmitted by this chip if an identification scanner is passed over or near the area where the chip is inserted.

No battery needs to be inserted along with the microchip, because it only ever needs to transmit the number when activated by a scanner. Depending on who you speak to, you may also hear the term 'transponder' used, which is another word for the microchip.

How are Microchips Implanted?

Although the idea of having a microchip implanted may sound daunting, it's actually a very simple procedure and isn't painful or distressing for most pets.

To insert the microchip, your vet or other qualified professional will pinch the skin between the shoulder blades of the dog and using a needle, and insert the chip. This is not painful, and most dogs are not bothered by this at all - it's only likely to cause your dog any distress if you have an especially nervous dog, who may be concerned about a visit to the vet in general.

If you're still worried about the process hurting your dog, you can watch lots of different clips online that show you how quick and easy this process is to help put your mind at rest. If you do have a nervous dog, you should remember to try and stay calm, and gently stroke and reassure them to show them there's nothing to be worried about.

What are the Benefits of Microchipping?

Microchipping dogs is the most permanent and secure means to ensure they can be identified if they are ever parted from you. While tags and similar identification methods are still a great idea, microchips can't be easily removed by other people, or get easily lost if your Labrador decides to go for a swim or dig.

Although it's rare, sadly dogs do wander off either from their home, or during a walk. If something like this ever happened to your dog, you can be confident in the knowledge that around 3 out of 4 missing dogs are reunited with their owners because of the information on their microchip.

Although there's never a 100% success rate with reunions, even with microchipping, knowing you've done everything to keep your dog safe will make a stressful situation easier to cope with.

In some documented cases, owners have been found for dogs that have gone missing during natural disasters, sometimes even years after the event, because of the details held on the chip.

What is the Cost of Microchipping?

There is no set price for this procedure, however, it's not very expensive - coming in at between $25-$50 on average, depending on your vet. In many cases, your appointment may be with a qualified vetinary nurse, and won't need any routine follow up appointments...so there is no ongoing cost.

Make Sure You Keep it up to Date

If you have your dog microchipped and then move house or change your phone number, it's really important you contact the company holding the information on your microchip. It may seem like common sense, but if your details aren't up to date, they won't be able to get hold of you if your dog does go missing!

The microchipping company is likely to be separate to your vet, but you should be able to easily find the contact details online if you aren't the one to have your dog's microchip inserted. A small fee may be charged to update your details(not normally more than around $30), but given how long people usually stay in one place and keep the same contact numbers, this is a small price to pay for the added security you are giving your Labrador.

It's important to remember you'll also need to contact the microchipping company if your pet changes owners, for example if someone takes over the care of your dog for you, or if you adopt a dog from another family.

If you adopt a dog from a charity, ask them to scan them first to see if they're already chipped. If they are, you'll need to make sure the details are changed as soon as you get the dog's chip number from whoever has scanned them for you.

Do I Need to Buy a Scanner if I Get My Dog Microchipped?

No - there is absolutely no need to buy a scanner, as you'll have no need to scan your dog. If you're ever concerned the microchip may have moved, you can just pop to your vet and ask them to do a quick scan for you...this will only take a few seconds, and will save you the added cost of getting hold of a scanner you'll hardly ever use.

If you're a dog walker, or have a job that involves working with lots of dogs, and being in areas where dogs may get lost (like a dog park), then you may want to look at investing in a scanner for your peace of mind. However, even in these situations, it still isn't particularly 'necessary' to own a scanner because your local vet can easily scan any dog you may become concerned about.

Are There Any Risks Involved in Microchipping?

The risks of implanting a microchip in a dog is absolutely tiny, and unless there are special circumstances surrounding your dog's health, your vet is likely to say the benefits hugely outweigh any level of risk.

In some cases, the microchip can move slightly, which can make it harder to detect, and it's worth heading back to the vet if you think this may have happened. Other risks are slight swelling around the injection sight, infection at the injection site, or failure of the microchip.

Your vet will normally check the microchip works with the scanner both before and after insertion, so the likelihood of it not transmitting after being injected is very slim.

Should I Still Use a Dog Tag and Collar?

YES! If your dog goes missing, and is found with no tags or collar, you need to hope the person who finds them is willing to make a few calls and wait while your dog is collected by an animal control officer who can then take them to be scanned.

For the most part, dogs get lost because they wander out of an open door, so they're most likely to bump into somebody in your neighborhood who isn't likely to own a scanner. In this instance, a much quicker way for your dog to be reunited with you, is if someone finds them and can immediately access a contact number to be able to give you a ring and let you know where to come and collect your precious pet.

What Does the Law Say?

From April 2016, it became the law to microchip every dog in the UK over 8 weeks of ages. Failure to comply with this law, results in a fine of £500 (around $700). There are currently no laws of this kind in place in the US, but many charities and owners are questioning whether this is something that should be pushed for.

Regardless of the lack of laws around the subject in the US, it's still a very good idea to get your dog microchipped...and that way, if the law does change, you'll already be 1 step ahead of the game.

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Microchipping Your Dog - Facts, Risks, Cost, The Law and More

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For many people, the word 'microchip' will bring to mind images of computers and other tech items, but this tiny little invention can also be the saving grace for many dog owners.

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analysing positive and negative effects of microchipping dogs. assessing the cost and process to display the information.

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Microchips last.
Traditional modes of identification, like pet tags or ID collars, need to be replaced regularly-and can slip off, be removed, or become hard to read- but microchips last for the life of the pet.
Bonus benefits of microchipping your pet
Some microchip registries offer additional services for your pet's care:

* Specialists available 24/7 to assist with advice and support if your pet is lost

* Travel assistance for pets found far from home

* 24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline

* Lost Pet Alerts sent to a network of animal shelters, veterinarians, and concerned citizens around where your pet was lost. ( Sign up here to help reunite lost dogs and lost cats with their families.)
You and your pet belong together.
Your cat or dog's microchip implant gives your pet the best chance of returning home to you if lost. However, a microchip must be registered along with your current contact information in order to identify you as your pet's parent and contact you. Remember as long as there are pets, even those belonging to the most responsible parents, they will go missing.

Sources:
"Microchipping and Scanning Companion Animals," an online course from the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, please visit www.aahanet.org "Microchip Your Pet," an online video from HomeAgain. For more information, please visit www.homeagain.com Microchips: Common Questions - The Humane Society of the United States http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/ common_questions_about_microchips.html Microchip Study - American Humane http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-animals/shelter-professionals/resources/microchip-study.html Microchipping animals FAQ - American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_faq.asp Backgrounder: Microchipping of Animals - American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_bgnd.asp Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, July 15, 2009, Vol. 235, No. 2, Pages 160-167. "Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters" http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.235.2.160?cookieSet=1&journalCode=javma

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Bonus Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet - Petfinder

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Microchips last. Traditional modes of identification, like pet tags or ID collars, need to be replaced regularly-and can slip off, be removed, or become hard to read- but microchips last for the life of the pet.