Compulsory Microchipping - FAQ for Pet Owners
Will compulsory microchipping mean legal 'Keeper / Ownership'?
The words 'legally responsible' are used if your dog strays, bites or causes any unjust damage. As the keeper of the dog you are 'liable' for the dog that is registered to you. Therefore, as the 'keeper' you will be held responsible if your dog has been found to commit such an act, however the 'keeper' will be protected from prosecution if their dog attacks a burglar or trespasser on their land.
How long has a person got to get a dog microchipped if they get one after April 2016?
From the 6th of April 2016, all dogs must be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old.
For every dog that is currently not microchipped, you will have until 6th of April to get them microchipped and registered on an approved database.
If a keeper of a dog which is not microchipped gets served with a notice requiring them to have the dog chipped, they will have 21 days to do this.
At what age is a dog exempt?
There are no exemptions with regarding to age. A dog will be legally exempt from being microchipped only when a vet certifies that it cannot be microchipped for health reasons. This needs to done on a form approved by the Secretary of State.
What is the minimum age a puppy has to be before being chipped?
There is no minimum age specified in the regulations. The puppy only has to be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old. The government advises that the dog be healthy enough to be implanted and sufficient time is allowed for the database to process the registration in order to ensure that the dog is compliant with the regulations by the time they are 8 weeks old.
Is there a fine/penalty if I don’t get my dog microchipped?
Yes. Under the regulations, your dog is considered microchipped when you (1) implant the dog with a chip and (2) register your details on an approved database. If you do not get your dog microchipped or your details registered on an approved database, then it will be considered as not complying with the regulations and a notice may be served. If the keeper does not microchip their dogs within 21 days of the served notice, then you will be liable to pay a fine of £500.
Is there a fine/penalty if I don’t keep my database details up to date?
Yes. Under the regulations, your dog is considered microchipped when you (1) implant the dog with a chip and (2) register your details on an approved database.
If any keeper subsequently moves, changes contact telephone number, etc. then the dog is no longer considered microchipped under the regulations and enforcement can be taken and a notice served. If the keeper does NOT get their details up to date within 21 days of the served notice, then you will be liable to pay a fine of £500.
What is the purpose of a microchip database?
When a pet is microchipped the unique Microchip Number and your contact details along with important information on the pet – need to be held in a secure location / and be accessible 24/7 365 by any Authorised Agent finding the pet.
Petlog is the UK’s largest lost and found database for microchipped pets. Its customer care team are based in the UK and available 24/7 365, operating to ISO 9001/2 standards and is managed by the Kennel Club.
What documentation will be issued to the registered keeper?
The keeper will be able to download their confirmation of registration via the website for their microchip number and Petlog ID upon validation of registration.
Why do Microchip databases charge fees for amending / changing details?
The fee that is paid at the point of microchip implantation does not go to the databases; this is the reason why databases request a fee when a change of details is required. Change of contact details can be completed online or via the telephone: 01296 336579 for £16 – a one off payment for a lifetime's peace of mind (on average this equates to £1 a year for the lifetime of the pet). You will automatically be upgraded to our Petlog Premium service, meaning that all other updates will then be free. As well as the 24/7 365 lost and found service, Petlog Premium gives added peace of mind - the ability to create a unique online account, add holiday information, SMS texting, 30 mile radius email alerts and lost pet posters.
This service was introduced following pet owner feedback A) as the most effective and simple way to manage details and B) the response that pet owners like the idea that they were invited to join the service – and that the cost was very visible as were the extra benefits.
Transfer of keepership cannot be completed over the telephone. The new keeper will either receive paperwork from the previous keeper a re-homing centre or welfare organisation that can be sent in to us. If a new keeper cannot obtain paperwork or has nothing to confirm that the pet belongs to them they should contact us on: 01296 336579 we will take the microchip number of the pet and their details, place them against the record requested for change as ‘pending’ whilst we check our records and verify that the change requested can take place.
When compulsory Microchipping comes into force, the old keeper will be responsible for ensuring that the details are updated. As such database processes will change to enable this.
Will the microchip expire?
The microchip will have an expiry date on the packaging but this is purely for implantation purposes and not an expiry date for the function of reunification.
Will the Microchip act as a GPS tracker ?
No the Microchip needs to be scanned by a hand held scanner – and once the unique 15 digit number is read – the Microchip database that you have chosen to store your details on will be contacted.
If there is more than one Microchip database – how do I know where my details are being stored – do I get a choice?
We always recommend that before having your pet Microchipped – you ask what Microchip is being used and which database it is aligned to. Your pet’s details and your contacts details are very important – and you should consider where this information is being stored – and the service level that accompanies this.
If you need more information – you can visit www.petlog.org.uk/pet-owners/microchip-with-a-petlog-vet/ to check which Microchip Suppliers work in partnership with Petlog.
How will owners know their dog’s microchip is registered with Petlog?
When a pet is microchipped the keeper will be given documentation by the implanter for them to keep, this contains the microchip number and database with contact details of where their record will be held.
The implanter will also forward this information directly to the respective database, where all the details will be held. If the keeper of the pet does not receive confirmation of registration within 14 days they should check the paperwork given by the implanter on the day, contact the relevant database, or contact Petlog on 01296 336579 who will be pleased to assist, whether with Petlog or another database.
If the keeper knows the microchip number they can easily go online to check if the dog is registered on Petlog: www.petlog.org.uk.
How can owners “keepers” check the details on their dog’s microchip are up to date?
Easy, online at www.petlog.org.uk place the pet’s microchip number in the ‘Look up a microchip’ field on the homepage and press go. If the microchip number is one that is registered with Petlog the keeper is then prompted to add their Petlog ID which is unique to the pet and can be found on their confirmation of registration. They can then check and print their details if they wish. If the pet is not registered with Petlog the keeper will be prompted to contact the relevant database or the Petlog Customer Care Team on: 01296 336579.
What is Petlog’s procedure for changing details? How much does it cost? What proof is needed? Can details be changed over the phone or in writing?
For your information, the fee that is paid at the point of microchip implantation does not go to the databases; this is the reason why databases request a fee when a change of details is required. Change of contact details can be completed online or via the telephone: 01296 336579 for £16 – a one off payment for a lifetime's peace of mind (on average this equates to £1 a year for the lifetime of the pet).
If a keeper makes the change of details online, this will cost £16 for the lifetime of their pet, and will automatically be upgraded to our Petlog Premium service, meaning that all other updates will then be free. As well as the 24/7 365 lost and found service, Petlog Premium gives added peace of mind - the ability to create a unique online account, add holiday information, SMS texting, 30 mile radius email alerts and lost pet posters.
Transfer of keepership cannot be completed over the telephone. The new keeper will either receive paperwork from the previous keeper a re-homing centre or welfare organisation that can be sent in to us. If a new keeper cannot obtain paperwork or has nothing to confirm that the pet belongs to them they should contact us on: 01296 336579 we will take the microchip number of the pet and their details, place them against the record requested for change as ‘pending’ whilst we check our records and verify that the change requested can take place.
When compulsory Microchipping comes into force, the old keeper will be responsible for ensuring that the details are updated. As such database processes will change to enable this.
What is Petlog’s procedure for changing details in situations where both previous owner and new owner might not express consent, such as when a dog is unclaimed from the pound, or if the previous owner has died?
On most occasions both parties can be put in touch with each other and a resolve made.
In the case of the death of a previous keeper, the database has a process to deal with this, and will be happy to discuss with the customer in this unfortunate event. In respect of other keepership issues, on the rare occasion that consent is not given then the record is ‘locked’ and can only be dealt with by a member of our Customer Care Team. The primary role is to reunite lost pets with their keepers. When keepership issues arise, if they cannot be reconciled by agreement between two conflicting parties, the dispute over keepership will then become a civil matter.
What is the best phone number for owners to contact you with queries? Our Customer Care Team are available for enquiries:
Monday – Friday 9am-5pm 01296 336579 option 3
Open 24/7 365 days a year 01296 336579 option 1 for lost pets option 2 for found pets.
