Which companion animals, other than horses, are legally required to have a microchip implanted in the UK?
Dogs over the age of 8 weeks and in England, owned cats over the age of 20 weeks. See Legislation and Requirements and exemptions sections for more details
Do feral cats need to be microchipped?
Defra have confirmed that microchipping is not compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.
Are there any exemptions to the legal requirement for a microchip?
A veterinary surgeon can certify that a dog or cat should not be microchipped for reasons relating to the health of the animal. See Requirements and exemptions section for more details.
Who is legally permitted to implant microchips?
In England, Wales and Scotland, a dog (or cat in England) can only be legally implanted by:
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- veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
- student veterinary surgeons or student veterinary nurses under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
- someone who has been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the Secretary of State for that purpose
- someone who before the Regulations come into force received training on implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip (this provision does not apply in Wales).
In Northern Ireland, a microchip can be implanted into a dog by a ‘competent person’, defined as a veterinary surgeon or a person who has received instruction on how to implant a microchip. See Implantation section for more details.
Can I register a microchip for my client?
Many practices will take on the responsibility for registering the details of the pet and keeper for any microchips they implant, however it is the keeper’s responsibility to ensure the microchip is registered and their details are kept up to date. It is suggested that all members of staff involved in this process are able to make the owner aware of their responsibilities under the law including keeping the database details up to date.
Should the breeder be listed on a dog’s microchip?
Yes, in England, Scotland and Wales, the breeder should be registered as the dog’s first keeper, whether they are required to be licensed or not. It should also be recorded that they are the breeder.
Can a microchip still be registered if the owner is homeless?
Yes, contact details for someone the keeper stays in touch with may be entered
When am I required to scan a pet for a microchip?
The only time a vet is legally required to scan a dog or cat for a microchip is before rabies vaccination and the issuing of export documentation such as an Animal Health Certificate, or when completing other official documentation that requires identification of the animal. However, other circumstances in which it is advisable to do so include:
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- prior to implanting a microchip
- when a lost or stray animal is presented
- to ensure that a previously implanted microchip is still working and has not migrated significantly from its site of implantation (this is particularly important before an animal travels abroad)
- on first presentation at the practice
- prior to carrying out official health screening/tests
- prior to euthanasia, where appropriate.
In addition, RCVS Guidance states that veterinary surgeons should scan for a microchip in dogs prior to euthanasia where, in their professional judgement, destruction of the dog is not necessary on animal health or welfare grounds. See RCVS Guidance and Scanning section for more details.
What should I do if a dog or cat without a microchip is presented to me in practice?
If no microchip is found, where possible the vet or RVN should advise the owner of their legal responsibility to chip and register the dog or cat. Record this advice in the clinical records. Vets and RVNs do not have a legal responsibility to report owners who have not had their pet microchipped. If presented with a puppy of 8 weeks of age that has not been microchipped, the vet or RVN should advise the owner of their legal responsibility to microchip and register the dog and encourage them to do so. Vets and RVNs do not have a legal responsibility to report the breeder.
What is the legal definition of an ‘adverse reaction’?
An adverse reaction is defined in the regulations as a microchip that causes any unnecessary pain or suffering or any pathology that is or seems to be caused by the implantation of a microchip, or a microchip that has migrated from the implantation site or failed (failure to transmit the number encoded in the microchip when scanned by an appropriate transceiver).
What should I do if a microchip has stopped working?
- If the microchip has failed, the dog or cat will need to have a new compliant microchip implanted (unless it qualifies for an exemption) and the new details registered on the database. It is recommended that the vet records details of the reasons for re-implantation and provides a written declaration to the owner about the old and new microchip. The microchip failure must be reported to Defra. If the owner wishes to confirm the presence of an unresponsive microchip, diagnostic imaging can be used if attempts to palpate the microchip have failed. See Adverse reactions section for more detail.
Should I remove a failed microchip?
A failed microchip should not be removed unless it is associated with some pathology. See RCVS Guidance for more information.
What should I do if I find a microchip has failed in a pet I need to certify for travel?
If the microchip has failed and the pet needs to be certified for travel abroad, Defra states that a new compliant chip must be inserted, the pet re-prepared (rabies vaccinated) and new travel documentation (such as an Animal Health Certificate) issued. The issuing veterinary surgeon should note in the ‘Marking of animals’ section of the Animal Health Certificate that there is another microchip present (and the number of that microchip) that cannot be scanned and read, in case the fault is intermittent. The failed microchip should be reported to Defra as an adverse reaction. See Adverse reactions section for more detail.
What should I do if a microchip seems to be working intermittently?
If the microchip is intermittently failing and the pet needs to be certified for travel abroad, Defra recommends that a new microchip is inserted in case the existing microchip fails at some point in the future. The original microchip, implanted prior to the initial rabies vaccination, must be scanned and a reading made. If a reading is not possible it will be necessary to complete the procedures for a failed microchip. If a reading of the original microchip is obtained, a new microchip should then be inserted. In cases where a second microchip is inserted, in the ‘Marking of animals’ section of the Animal Health Certificate the Official Veterinarian should write: “On (date), I scanned and read microchip number (original). Upon gaining a reading, I inserted microchip number (new) on the same day, in accordance with Defra requirements” (or similar wording). See Adverse reactions section for more detail.
Ownership disputes
What should I do If there is a dispute about the ownership of a microchipped pet?
If there is a potential ownership dispute, the RCVS provides detailed guidance on how to deal with such issues, including a Client Confidentiality and Microchipped Animals Flow Chart, which should be referred to. The BSAVA advises veterinary practices should be aware of their obligations under GDPR with respect to release of personal information, be aware of the RCVS guidelines in detail, contact their professional indemnity provider and keep detailed clinical notes. See RCVS Guidance for more information.
Miscellaneous
Is a dog who has been microchipped still required to wear a collar?
If the owner wishes to dispense with a collar, they should be reminded that it is still a legal requirement that a non-working dog wears a collar, with a tag or plate or badge attached to it, inscribed with the name, address and postcode of the keeper when in a public place (The Control of Dogs Order 1992).