Microchipping
Microchipping is a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of eight weeks and from 10th June 2024 for all cats over the age of twenty weeks. We also provide microchipping for other small animals.
Why should I microchip my pet?
The most important reason why we should microchip our cats and dogs is simply that they do occasionally get lost.
However, there is one other very important reason why our dogs at least should be microchipped…
It’s the law for dogs!
On April 6th 2016 the Scottish Government introduced “The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016” whereby microchipping of all dogs over the age of eight weeks became compulsory.
Keeping a dog that isn’t microchipped could lead to a fine of up to £500 and a court case against you.
As yet there is no legal requirement to microchip cats, but we strongly advise that owners of cats do so. It just makes good sense. After all cats can get lost too!
How does microchipping work?
Microchipping is a simple way of permanent unique identification for your dog or cat.
A tiny microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is injected by means of a specially designed device under the loose skin of your dog or cat's neck, giving them a unique 15 digit identification number.
Who does it and when?
Our vets and veterinary nurses place the microchip. They perform this simple procedure on a frequent basis. It’s quick, very safe and any discomfort associated with the implantation process is very brief.
As virtually all dogs are microchipped as puppies, it is mostly young cats who are presented for microchipping. The best time to do this is at the same time as neutering, when they are anaesthetised.
How and where is it recorded?
The veterinary practice will record all of your details with Petlog via a paper registration form or online.
Petlog is the UK’s largest pet microchip database with over nine million owners and pets recorded to date and is managed by the Kennel Club.
The database contains owner details such as name, address, phone number and email address. It is important that you update these details if they change.
The database also contains all of a pet’s details such as species, breed, age, gender, colour, whether they are neutered or not, any unusual distinguishing features and the microchip number.
What happens when a lost pet is found?
Should a dog or cat get found and get handed in to a veterinary surgery, animal welfare group, the police or local authority, they will have access to special hand held scanners that can detect and read the information on the microchips.
Once a pet’s unique number has been found and verified against one of the databases that exist within the UK, they can then be reunited with their owner.