You must make sure your dog:
- is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database by the time it’s 8 weeks old.
- has a collar and identity tag with your name and address on it when in a public place.
Make sure the breeder has microchipped and registered your puppy with an approved microchip database before you take it home. The GOV.UK website provides a list of databases that meet government standards.
Who can microchip your dog?
Your pet’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional.
You can ask your vet, or local rescue and rehoming centre if they can microchip your dog. They might charge a fee.
What happens when your dog is microchipped?
- Your pet’s microchip contains a number, which will show up whenever your dog is scanned.
- You are responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house contact the database company your dog is registered with to update any of your details.
Find out where your dog 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 for it:
- a vet
- a dog warden
- a rescue centre
Penalties
- You can be fined up to £5000 if you do not have a collar and tag on your dog.
- You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped when they need to be.
- You can be fined up to £5000 if you don’t keep records up to date.