29. Small animals and microchips

Please note that where reference is made to ‘owner’ within this guidance, this is synonymous to ‘keeper’ as referenced in the Regulations, and has been replaced for consistency, and to differentiate between a registered owner and a current keeper, which is particularly important in relation to ownership disputes.

Compulsory microchipping - dogs

29.1  Microchipping of dogs has been mandatory in Northern Ireland since 2012. The Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 requires dogs to be microchipped in order to obtain a valid dog licence. There is more information about the requirements at GOV.UK Dog Licensing and Microchipping

29.2  Microchipping of dogs in all other parts of the UK has been mandatory since 6 April 2016. The relevant legislation is as follows:

a. The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023;

b. The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016; and

c. The Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015.

29.3  Dog owners have a legal obligation to have their dogs microchipped and registered with a microchip database, if they have not done so already. No owner may transfer a dog to a new owner until it has been microchipped. 

29.4  Subject to an exemption for certified working dogs (not applicable in Scotland), all dogs older than eight weeks need to be microchipped and registered with their owner’s details. The owner is responsible for keeping these details up to date and, whenever there is a change of owner, the new owner must ensure their details are recorded with the database. The details to be recorded on the database are listed in the various regulations and these should be consulted carefully as there are subtle differences between each part of the UK. 

29.5  In England, Scotland, and Wales, where a dog has been imported the owner must ensure that it is microchipped within 30 days of entry into the country. Where a foreign microchip does not comply with the legislation (i.e., unable to be registered on a UK database), a second microchip may be inserted, but the original microchip should not be removed. See below at paragraph 29.25 for more information.

29.6  There are ‘health’ exemptions from the general microchipping requirement:

a. In England, the exemption applies for as long as a veterinary surgeon certifies, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, that a dog should not be microchipped for reasons of the animal’s health. The certificate must state the period for which the dog will be unfit to be microchipped.

b. In Scotland, the exemption applies for as long as a veterinary surgeon certifies that a dog should not be microchipped for reasons of the dog’s health. The certificate must state the period for which the dog will be unfit to be microchipped.

c. In Wales, the exemption applies for as long as a veterinary surgeon certifies, on a form approved by the Welsh Ministers, that microchipping would significantly compromise the dog’s health. The certificate must state the period for which the dog will be unfit to be microchipped.

29.7  An owner who fails to have their dog microchipped may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped within 21 days. Only an authorised person (as defined by the regulations) can serve such a notice. It is an offence to fail to comply with the notice. In addition, where an owner has failed to comply with the notice, the regulations give an authorised person powers to, without the consent of the owner, arrange for the dog to be microchipped and recover the cost of doing so from the owner. The regulations also permit an authorised person to take possession of a dog without the consent of the owner for the purpose of checking whether it is microchipped or for the purpose of microchipping it in accordance with the regulations.

Compulsory microchipping - cats (England)

29.8 In England, from 10 June 2024, owners of a cat older than 20 weeks must ensure that the cat is microchipped and registered on a microchip database in line with the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023. In the context of cats ‘the owner’ is the person with whom the cat normally resides. No owner may transfer a cat to a new owner until it has been microchipped. 

29.9 For imported cats, the owner must ensure the cat is microchipped within 30 days of entry into England. Where a foreign microchip does not comply with the legislation (i.e., unable to be registered on a UK database), a second microchip may be inserted, but the original microchip should not be removed. See below at paragraph 29.25 for more information.

29.10 There are ‘health’ exemptions from the general microchipping requirement as long as a veterinary surgeon certifies, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, that a cat should not be microchipped for reasons of the animal’s health. The certificate must state the period for which the cat will be unfit to be microchipped.

29.11 An owner who fails to have their cat microchipped may be served with a notice requiring the cat to be microchipped within 21 days. Only an authorised person (as defined by the regulations) can serve such a notice. It is an offence to fail to comply with the notice. In addition, where an owner has failed to comply with the notice, the regulations give an authorised person powers to, without the consent of the owner, arrange for the cat to be microchipped and recover the cost of doing so from the owner. The regulations also permit an authorised person to take possession of a cat without the consent of the owner for the purpose of checking whether it is microchipped or for the purpose of microchipping it in accordance with the regulations.

Who can implant a microchip? 

General - all UK jurisdictions 

29.12  In most species, the following guidance applies:

1. implantation by methods other than the subcutaneous route, ear tag or bolus will generally amount to veterinary surgery in view of the potential for pain or stress or for spreading disease, and in some cases the likely handling difficulties;
2. the repair or closure of the entry site, where necessary, will generally amount to veterinary surgery;
3. sedation and analgesia are medical treatment and so amount to veterinary surgery. Depending upon the nature of the treatment which is necessary it may be lawful for it to be carried out by a veterinary nurse under veterinary direction or by the owner;
4. the procedure may amount to veterinary surgery if there is special risk to the health or welfare of the animal.

England - dogs and cats

29.13  Section 10(1) of The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 stipulates that no person may implant a microchip in a dog or cat unless:

1. they are a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;
2. they are acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon and are a student of veterinary surgery or a student veterinary nurse;
3. in the case of a dog, they have:
   
   
   1. been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the Secretary of State on or after 24th February 2015 for the purpose of implanting a microchip in a dog; or
   2. received training in implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip in a dog before 24th February 2015; or
4. in the case of a cat, they have:
   
   
   1. been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the Secretary of State on or after 10th June 2024 for the purpose of implanting a microchip in a cat; or
   2. received training in implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip in a cat before the 10th June 2024.

Wales - dogs

29.14  Section 9(1) of The Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015 stipulates that no person may implant a microchip in a dog unless:

a. they are a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

b. they are a student of veterinary surgery or a student veterinary nurse and in either case acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

c. they have been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the Welsh Ministers for that purpose; or

d. before the day on which these Regulations come into force, they received training on implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip.

29.15  Anyone seeking to rely on the provision at section 9(1)(d) should note that this provision will cease to have effect at the end of the period of two years beginning with the date on which these Regulations come into force.

Scotland - dogs

29.16  Section 3(1) of The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 stipulates that no individual other than an ‘implanter’ may implant a microchip of any kind in a dog. An ‘implanter’ means any of the following individuals:

a. a veterinary surgeon, or a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

b. a student of veterinary surgery or a student veterinary nurse and in either case acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

c. an individual who has been assessed as meeting a satisfactory standard in the implantation of microchips in dogs on a training course for that purpose approved by the Scottish Ministers; or

d. an individual who, before the day on which the Regulations come into force, received training on implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip.

Dogs with docked tails

Northern Ireland

29.17  The Dogs (for the purpose of The Welfare of Animals (Docking of Working Dogs’ Tails and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012) stipulates that a competent person may microchip dogs for the purpose of the certification requirements of the tail docking regulations. A “competent person” means a veterinary surgeon or person who has received instruction on how to implant a microchip and they must work in the same practice as the veterinary surgeon who performed the tail docking. (For further guidance on tail docking see Chapter 27.)

England and Wales

29.18  The Dogs (for the purpose of The Docking of Working Dogs' Tails (England) Regulations 2007 and The Docking of Working Dogs' Tails (Wales) Regulations 2007) stipulate that  only veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon can microchip dogs for the purpose of the certification requirements of the tail docking regulations. (For further guidance on tail docking see Chapter 27.)

For pet travel

Dogs, cats and ferrets (for the purpose of pet travel)

29.19  In Great Britain, The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 (as amended by The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order 2014) states that no person may implant a microchip in a dog, cat or ferret for the purposes of pet travel unless:

a. they are a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

b. they are a student of veterinary surgery or a student veterinary nurse and in either case are acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon;

c. they have been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the appropriate authority for that purpose; or

d. before the 29th December 2014 they received training on implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip.

29.20  There is an identical provision in The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (as amended by The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015).

29.21  Given the potential implications should a microchip fail on entry to the UK (for example, time in quarantine at the cost of the owner) veterinary surgeons should encourage their clients to have their pet’s microchip checked before travel. 

Microchip Adverse Event Reporting Scheme

29.22  The various regulations on compulsory microchipping for cats and dogs require reports to be made whenever there is an adverse reaction to microchipping, migration of a microchip from the site of implanting or the failure of a microchip.

29.23  Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should report an adverse reaction to microchipping, or the migration or failure of a microchip to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) by emailing [email protected]. This email address can also be used to request advice in relation to the adverse events reporting scheme more broadly.

29.24  In addition to the above, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in Scotland should also note that the Scottish Regulations require reports to be made within 21 days beginning with the day the adverse reaction, migration or failure is identified.

Removing microchips 

29.25  Because of the importance attached to the accurate identification of animals and the potential for fraud, a microchip must only be removed where this can be clinically justified. This justification should be documented and where required another microchip or alternative method of identification used.

29.26  Removal of a microchip in any other circumstances would be an unnecessary mutilation. While the insertion of a second microchip may be problematic, this in itself does not justify removal of a microchip and an audit trail must be maintained.

Scanning for microchips 

29.27  Microchips are implanted in companion animals to assist with their return if lost or stolen. A veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse may scan for a microchip where, for example, the animal has been lost or is a stray, it is suspected that the animal has been stolen, or where a client is unaware that the animal has been microchipped.

29.28  There may be other situations when a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse may scan for a microchip, for example, on first presentation at the practice in order to add details to the clinical and client records, at annual boosters and/or prior to travel in order to check that the microchip is working properly, and, prior to implantation to check for an existing microchip.

29.29  There may be some situations when veterinary surgeons are required to scan for a microchip, for example, prior to a rabies vaccination for the purposes of obtaining a pet passport.

29.30  There may be circumstances where a request is made by a client for the destruction of a dog or cat, where in the clinical/professional judgement of the veterinary surgeon destruction of the dog or cat is not necessary, for instance where there are no health or welfare reasons for the dog or cat to be euthanised.

29.31  In these circumstances, before carrying out the request for euthanasia the veterinary surgeon should scan the dog or cat for a microchip and check the relevant database if a microchip is found.

29.32  In relation to both dogs and cats, clients may have a contract with the shelter from which they acquired the animal such that it can be returned to that shelter, and that it may be appropriate to discuss this with them prior to euthanasia. Alternatively, there may be another individual willing to take responsibility for the animal(who may be named on the microchip database), and this may also be discussed with the client. If no microchip is found, this should be recorded on the clinical record.

29.33 In relation to cats, clients may request that a healthy cat be euthanised under the mistaken impression that the cat is a stray. It is therefore important to check whether there is another owner who has responsibility, or is willing to take responsibility, for the cat, who may be named on the microchip database.

Lost or stray small animals without microchips or other forms of identification

29.34  Where possible, it may be sensible to adopt the approach taken by local authorities with lost or stray dogs, which is to keep the animal for 7 days before considering re-homing or euthanasia, provided that to do so would not compromise the animal’s welfare. There may be other factors to consider but, ideally, it is helpful to allow a reasonable period of time for enquiries to be made or for an owner to come forward. Ultimately, how long to keep a stray animal will be a matter for the practice.

29.35  Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should ensure that records are made of the attempts made to locate an owner, any treatment provided and the reasons for any decisions made. This can be helpful in the event of disputes, for example, if an owner contacts the practice at a later stage.

29.36  Lost or stray animals presented to a veterinary practice may be in good health, or they may be ill or injured and require first aid and pain relief, which could include euthanasia. Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should have regard to supporting guidance Chapter 3 (24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief)  particularly that emergency first aid and pain relief should not be delayed where this would compromise animal welfare. In the absence of an identified owner, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should be guided by welfare considerations and should be cautious about undertaking significant procedures, particularly those with lasting effects e.g. neutering. Local animal organisations/charities may be able to assist with ongoing treatment and rehoming but there is no requirement for them to do so. 

Ownership disputes 

29.37  An ownership dispute may arise where a client presents an animal with a microchip registered in another person's name.

29.38  Veterinary surgeons should consider the following information if faced with this situation: 

Seek prior agreement to disclose

29.39  Practices may wish to request express written agreement from clients on registration that if the practice discovers the animal is registered to another person, the personal data of the client and details of the animal and its location will be passed on to the person in whose name the animal is registered and/or the database provider. 

29.40  A written agreement should be obtained through a standalone consent document, not merely included in the practice's standard terms and conditions. The client must be given the opportunity to make a positive indication that they would be happy for their personal data to be passed on in such circumstances. This consent must be freely given, which means it cannot be a condition of registering with the practice. There should be systems and processes in place to keep the consent up to date and veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should properly acknowledge and document any withdrawal of consent.

Seek consent to disclose

29.41  If there is no prior agreement for disclosure between the practice and the client, the veterinary surgeon should first try and obtain the current keeper’s consent to release their personal information (i.e. name/address) to the registered owner and/or database provider. However, the name and details of the registered owner should not be provided to the current keeper (unless the registered owner volunteers them).

29.42  It is likely that consent will be given freely if the registered owner is aware that the animal is in the possession of the current keeper e.g. the current keeper is caring for the animal. 

Failure to obtain consent  

29.43  If the current keeper refuses to consent to the release of their personal information to the registered owner, the veterinary surgeon should contact the registered owner and/or the database provider and explain that the animal has been brought in by someone else. However, the veterinary surgeon should not release the current keeper’s personal information to the registered owner (or any other third party including the database provider) at this stage. 

29.44  If the veterinary surgeon makes contact with the registered owner and the registered owner is not concerned that the animal has been brought in by another person, then the veterinary surgeon should still not release the current keeper’s personal information to the registered owner or any other third party as the veterinary surgeon would not have a legal basis for this disclosure. Under the GDPR, consent will need to be obtained from the registered owner to change the details on the microchip.

29.45 If the veterinary surgeon makes contact with the registered owner and/or the database provider and from the conversation discovers that (i) the animal has been reported as stolen; (ii) the registered owner was not aware that the animal is in someone else’s possession; and/or (iii) the registered owner wants to recover the animal, then the veterinary surgeon may have a legal basis for disclosing the current keeper’s personal information i.e. they are certain that such disclosure is “necessary” for the purposes of the registered owner to exercise their legal rights, and those interests are not overridden by the interests of the current keeper. If there is any doubt as to a legal basis for such disclosure, it may be preferable not to disclose the data to the registered owner, and instead request that they ask the police to contact the veterinary surgeon for the details of the current keeper.

a.     Suspected Theft/Stolen Animal          

In the event that the registered owner and/or database provider tells the veterinary surgeon that the animal is stolen, the veterinary surgeon should ask the registered owner and/or database provider to report the theft to the police. If the police then contact the veterinary surgeon, they should ask for a formal request for disclosure from the police, setting out their legal basis for requesting this information.

b.     Civil/Ownership dispute

In some cases, the animal may not have been reported stolen, but the registered owner still wants to recover the animal. This may be the case where there is a civil/domestic dispute. In these circumstances, the veterinary surgeon should not immediately provide the current keeper’s details to the registered owner. The registered owner or their legal representative should expressly confirm, in writing, the legal basis on which disclosure is permitted under the GDPR. The veterinary surgeon should then assess that request before deciding whether to disclose this information. 

29.46  It is recommended that these steps are set out in a policy document, which is displayed at the practice so that the process is clear to clients.

Additional guidance

29.47  Additional guidance on client confidentiality and microchipped animals is available to download in the form of a Flow Chart.