Do I Need to Get My Pet Microchipped? Here's What You Need to Know
27 June 2018
Since 2016 UK law has required that dog owners have their dog microchipped by the time they’re eight weeks old. In the year that followed the law’s introduction, Dogs Trust estimated 66,277 stray dogs were handled across the country, but only 34% of these were microchipped.
While this number has been steadily decreasing for the last 20 years, as a nation of pet lovers it’s heart-breaking to think that even one lost dog won't be reunited with their owners.
Seeing as though June is National Microchip Month, we thought we’d give our B&M pet-lovers the low-down on microchipping and whether your cat or dog needs it.
What is microchipping?
A microchip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, is implanted just under the skin of your pet between the shoulder blades.
This microchip contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner and then used to identify your pet. Owners’ details are associated with this number and kept on a database so that – should your pet go missing – you can be reunited quickly and easily.
Why is it important?
Other than making sure lost pets are reunited with owners, microchipping ensures the safety of our furry friends. The more pets that are chipped, the less strays and homeless pets there are likely to be on our streets.
They also relieve the pressure on animal shelters, charities and local authorities who are usually left to pick up the tab when pets are abandoned or lost.
Do I need to get my cat chipped?
The short answer is no! Cats are more territorial than dogs, meaning they’re less likely to stray too far from home.
But an estimated 100,000 cats go missing every year in the UK, so while it’s not a legal requirement, if you want to be reunited with your lost kitty, responsible owners should think about getting them chipped.
How much does it cost?
Your local vet may charge you approximately £10-£15 for microchipping, however the following organisations will do it for free!
What happens if I don’t get my dog chipped?
Owners who fail to microchip their dog before they are eight weeks old are liable for a fine up to £500.
B&M Top Tip: did you know you can be fined up to £5,000 if your dog doesn’t wear a collar with an identification tag (with your contact details on) while out in public? Get your next dog collar at B&M!
What if I move house or sell my pet?
If you can no longer care for your dog and need to change the owner details (or you move house), you can do this online, over the phone or by post, depending on which database you have registered with. To update details, click here for a full list of databases: Dogs Trust.
Have you had your pet microchipped? Tell us about your experiences over on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Sources: Dogs Trust, Gov.uk, BBC (see hyperlinks above).
