Requirement for Microchipping
Dogs and cats
The microchipping regulations include provision that all dogs (and owned cats in England) are microchipped and their details recorded on a Government approved database.
Dogs
Puppies need to be microchipped by the age of 8 weeks or within 30 days of the date they entered the country and before transfer to a new keeper unless one of two exemptions apply:
Exemption for working dog
- Where a veterinary surgeon has certified the dog as a working dog (England and Wales) and docked its tail as allowed under section 6 of The Animal Welfare Act 2006. In such cases the time limit for the dog to be microchipped and details recorded with a database is 12 weeks. The reason given for this is that the new microchipping regulations are only a Statutory Instrument made under the Animal Welfare Act and therefore cannot amend the Animal Welfare Act itself. However, there is no reason why the dog cannot be microchipped before this time.
Exemption for health reasons
- Where a veterinary surgeon certifies that a dog should not be microchipped for reasons relating to the health of the animal. In Wales, the exemption requires certification that microchipping would significantly compromise the dog’s health, and in Northern Ireland that implantation (or continued implantation) of a microchip in the dog would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog. In such cases the form of the certification issued by the veterinary surgeon must be approved by the Secretary of State for either England or Wales. The required form is provided here for England and here for Wales, and must state when the exemption expires (the Welsh certificate of exemption allows for a permanent exemption if the health concerns warrant it). There is no certificate template available for Scotland or for Northern Ireland – see here for the Scottish requirements for certification for exemption on health grounds. The dog must be microchipped on expiry of a time limited certificate unless a veterinary surgeon issues a further exemption certificate because s/he still has concerns over the dog’s health. Ensuring that the dog is implanted with a microchip following expiry of the exemption certificate is the responsibility of the owner/keeper and the veterinary surgeon does not have any specific responsibility to enforce this.
Cats
In England, owned cats need to be microchipped by the age of 20 weeks, unless a veterinary surgeon certifies that a cat should not be microchipped because it would adversely affect its health, in which case the same applies as for provision 2 above for dogs. For further guidance on using dentition to determine the age of kittens, see here.
Exemption from microchipping: Potential scenarios
The BSAVA considers that the situations in which exemption would be necessary are limited and would very rarely require permanent exemption. However, the following situations may require exemption for a temporary period:
- Size of animal – while the majority of dogs and cats can be safely implanted with a microchip before 8 or 20 weeks of age respectively there may be cases in toy or miniature breeds where, in the professional judgement of the veterinary surgeon, microchipping should be delayed for a matter of weeks to allow the puppy or kitten to grow.
- Severe illness – where a dog or cat has a severe debilitating illness it may be appropriate for the veterinary surgeon to recommend that microchipping is delayed for a short period to enable recovery to take place.
- Infection or injury or adverse reaction at the normal site of microchipping – where a dog or cat has an infection or injury at the normal site of microchipping it may be appropriate for the veterinary surgeon to recommend that microchipping is delayed for a short period to enable recovery to take place. If the injury is likely to permanently preclude microchipping at the normal site, the veterinary surgeon should consider implanting the microchip at a different site. The implantation site should be as close to the normal implantation site as possible to maximise the chance that the microchip will be located by routine scanning processes. Where a microchip is deliberately implanted at a different site this should be recorded in the clinical records and on any records relating to the microchip e.g. database records or travel documentation.
- Abnormalities of blood clotting – where a dog or cat has any condition that interferes with blood clotting it may be appropriate to delay microchip implantation until the situation has been rectified or stabilised.
- Behavioural concerns – where implantation of a nervous dog or cat is considered likely to reinforce negative/fearful responses and adversely affect ongoing management and handling of that pet in future consultations, it may be appropriate to delay microchip implantation temporarily until the behaviour can be suitably addressed.
It is important to ensure that either the owner of the dog or cat or person authorised to represent the owner, signs the certificate to confirm that they understand that the certificate is only valid for the period of time stated.
Exemption Certificates or Letters
Download the Certificate of Exemption for England
Download the Certificate of Exemption for Wales
Exemption certificate requirements for Scotland
Although not required on the Certificate of Exemption for Wales, BSAVA recommend that the veterinary surgeon includes the reason for the exemption by noting it on the certificate.
In Scotland, if a dog is exempted from having a microchip implanted for health reasons, the veterinary surgeon should provide a signed letter with the following details as an exemption certificate:
- the dog’s name and description
- owner name and contact details
- name and address of the veterinary practice
- why the dog can’t be microchipped
- how long the exemption will last
- owner name and signature
- vet name and signature
BSAVA suggests the Certificate of Exemption for England can be used for this purpose. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government website here
The legislation in Northern Ireland states that a veterinary surgeon can certify to the effect that implantation (or continued implantation) of a microchip in the dog would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog but does not have specific requirements listing the details required for the certificate. The BSAVA recommends that any such certification should provide all the information requested in the Scottish legislation above.