Microchipping

Under the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, all dog that are eight weeks old or older and not a certified working dog will need to be chipped and registered on one of the authorised UK databases. If the microchip is registered on a foreign database, the microchip details must be re-registered on an authorised UK database when the animal enters the UK.

Owners have to get their dogs microchipped and registered by law or face fines of £500.

There are three main reasons why associations such as the British Veterinary Association have been campaigning for the compulsory microchipping of dogs:

  • to help reunite strays with their owners
  • to help tackle puppy farming
  • to encourage responsible ownership.

The council's Dog Control Officer will enforce the law and will serve a notice on the keeper of the dog, if a dog is not microchipped, registered on an authorised UK database, or whose details are not kept up to date. The notice allows the keeper 21 days to comply with this notice. Failure to comply may result in the Dog Control Officer taking possession of a dog to check if it is chipped or to arrange for the microchip to be implanted. The costs of this will be charged to the keeper of the dog.

Microchipping service

Microchipping is the most effective and secure way of permanently identifying a pet. See our Lost and stray dogs page for further details.

Our Dog Control Officer is fully trained and offers a low cost microchipping service. The procedure includes:

  • a home visit
  • lifetime registration to a national database
  • a personalised certificate, and
  • a unique collar tag.

The procedure is very quick and causes no more discomfort than a standard vaccination. To arrange for your dog to be microchipped please contact us.

Updating your dog's microchip

If you move or change your telephone number it is important to tell the relevant microchip database so they can update their records.

If your dog is sold or given to a new owner, you will also need to arrange for the details on the dog's microchip to be changed.

Dog breeders

All dog breeders are responsible for ensuring their puppies are microchipped before selling them. Further information regarding buying a healthy puppy and microchipping can be found on the RSPCA (opens in new window) and The Kennel Club (opens in new window) websites.