Microchipping
Why Microchip your pet?
Every dog owner is legally obliged to ensure that their dog is wearing a collar and identification disc, but thousands have taken positive steps to ensure that their much loved pets can also be identified through microchip technology.
Microchipping of pets in the UK has been available sine 1989. During this time over two million dogs and cats have been microchipped. It is estimated that there are 7,500 new registrations each week.
Sadly, thousands of much loved pets go missing each year and it is estimated that only half of them are ever reunited with their owners. By getting your pet micro chipped you will have peace of mind should they ever go missing that they are much more likely to be returned to you safe and sound. Collars and tags can easily be lost – microchips cannot!
A microchip is also mandatory for pets to obtain a PETS passport.
What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a small electronic device, about the same size as a grain of rice. It is coated in the same material (bio-compatible glass) that is used in human pacemakers! A microchip works through radio wave frequency. It contains a unique number and is suitable for implantation in almost every pet including dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, birds and even fish.
Once implanted, the microchip will provide lifetime identification for your pet.
Microchips are read when a scanner is passed over them. The scanner produces low frequency radio waves that passively activate the microchip, allowing the unique number to be read.
What happens when my pet is found?
When a vet, dog warden, rescue organisation or other authorised user scans a found animal, the unique microchip number is displayed to them using a special scanner. With one simple phone call to a 24 hour hotline, your details can be released and you and your pet can be quickly reunited.
Dedicated recovery specialists answer your calls every minute of the day, 365 days a year.
How and where is the Microchip implanted?
A microchip is so tiny that it fits through a hypodermic needle. Just like a vaccination, it is injected under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades.
No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination.
Once inserted, your pet’s body tissue surrounding the microchip attaches itself preventing the chip from moving.
The microchip and the implanting equipment are sterilised before use, so that your pet’s body does not reject the microchip.
Registration
After implantation you will be asked to complete a registration form, or your implanter may register online via the internet. It is important that you give as much contact information as possible, to assist reunification if your pet is lost. Once your registration has been processed it will be entered onto the UK database.
Check your information
Once registered you will be sent a certificate confirming the details recorded. It is important to check that your contact details are registered correctly.
Don’t forget
It is important to keep your contact details up to date on the UK database so that you can be contacted 24/7 if your pet is found straying. If you move address, change telephone numbers or rehome your pet to someone else please remember to update your microchip record. Without this important information it makes it much harder to reunite you with your lost pet.