Microchipping Your Dog or Cat: A Tiny Chip That Could Make All the Difference
By Nikki Roberts RVN | Roundwood Vets, North West London
As pet owners, we do everything we can to keep our beloved dogs and cats safe. We make sure they are well fed, loved, cared for and protected from harm. But sometimes, despite our very best efforts, the unexpected happens.
A dog slips through an open gate, a cat wanders a little further than usual, or a frightened pet runs off following a sudden noise or an accident.
At Roundwood Vets, we see a significant number of lost and apparently stray pets brought into our practice. Some have been involved in road traffic accidents, while others have simply been found wandering by concerned members of our local community.
One of the very first things we do is check for a microchip, hoping that we can quickly contact a worried owner and reunite them with their much-loved companion.
Unfortunately, it isn't always that straightforward.
We regularly see pets who have no microchip, microchips that have never been registered, or chips linked to incorrect or outdated contact details.
It is incredibly frustrating, particularly when we know there may be a family desperately searching for their pet, completely unaware of where they are.
This is why we feel so strongly about the importance of microchipping, and more importantly, making sure those microchip details are registered and kept up to date.
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Is Microchipping a Legal Requirement for Dogs and Cats?
Yes. In England, microchipping is a legal requirement for both dogs and cats.
Under current legislation:
Dogs must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database by eight weeks of age.
Cats must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database before they reach 20 weeks of age. This includes indoor cats.
Owners and keepers must ensure their registered contact details remain up to date.
The law for dogs has been in place since April 2016, while compulsory microchipping for cats in England came into effect in June 2024.
There are limited veterinary-certified exemptions, but for the vast majority of pets, microchipping is both a legal responsibility and an important part of keeping them safe.
Owners who fail to comply may face a fine of up to £500 if they do not take the required action following an enforcement notice.
But for us, the real value of microchipping goes far beyond the legal requirement.
It is about giving your pet the best possible chance of finding their way home.
What Is a Microchip and How Does It Work?
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, approximately the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted just beneath your pet's skin, usually between the shoulder blades.
Each microchip contains a unique identification number.
When a veterinary practice, rescue centre or dog warden finds a lost pet, they can use a special handheld scanner to read that number.
The number can then be used to identify the database where the microchip is registered, allowing an authorised person to access the registered keeper's contact details and hopefully arrange a happy reunion.
There are three important things to understand about microchips:
A microchip is not a GPS tracker. It cannot tell us where your pet is or track their movements.
A microchip does not contain your address or telephone number. It contains a unique identification number linked to a registration database.
The chip itself does not need a battery or charging. It is activated by the scanner and is designed to last for your pet's lifetime.
Think of it as a permanent form of identification that stays with your pet, even if a collar or identification tag is lost.
However, there is one very important catch.
A microchip is only as useful as the information registered against it.
Does Microchipping Hurt, and Can a Microchip Fall Out?
This is something we are often asked, particularly by owners of young puppies and kittens.
The procedure is very quick and straightforward.
The microchip is inserted beneath the skin using a sterile needle. It feels similar to an injection, although the needle is slightly larger than the one used for a routine vaccination.
Most pets tolerate the procedure extremely well, and it is usually completed in just a few seconds. A general anaesthetic or sedation is not normally required.
Once implanted, the microchip is designed to remain in place throughout your pet's lifetime.
However, something many pet owners don't realise is that, occasionally, a microchip can be lost shortly after implantation.
Although uncommon, a microchip can sometimes work its way back out through the tiny opening made by the needle, particularly before the skin has fully healed.
Microchips can also occasionally migrate, meaning they move away from their original position between the shoulder blades. This doesn't necessarily mean the chip has stopped working, but it may make it a little harder to find when scanning.
Very occasionally, a microchip may also stop functioning correctly.
This is why we always encourage owners to have their pet's microchip checked regularly.
A simple microchip scan during your pet's routine veterinary appointments is a really good habit to get into.
It only takes a few seconds, is completely painless, and allows us to confirm that the microchip is still present and can be detected.
If a microchip cannot be found, we can carry out a more thorough scan and discuss whether a replacement is needed.
Imagine believing your dog or cat has been safely microchipped for years, only to discover after they go missing that their chip can no longer be detected. It's something none of us would want to experience.
So, alongside keeping your contact details up to date, please remember to have your pet's microchip scanned regularly, ideally during their annual health check or vaccination appointment.
It's such a small thing to do, but it offers valuable reassurance that your pet's identification is still in place and working as it should.
Why Registering Your Pet's Microchip Is So Important
This is perhaps the most important message we would like every pet owner to take away from this blog.
Having a microchip implanted does not automatically mean your pet can be traced back to you.
We see this problem far more often than many people might imagine.
A lost dog or cat arrives at the practice. We scan for a microchip and are relieved when the scanner identifies a number.
But when we attempt to trace the owner, we discover that:
The microchip has never been registered on a database.
The telephone number is no longer in use.
The owner has moved house and not updated their address.
The chip is still registered to a previous keeper.
The contact details are incomplete or incorrect.
Suddenly, something that should have been a straightforward reunion becomes much more complicated.
And sometimes, despite our best efforts, we simply cannot locate the owner.
Imagine your dog escaping from the garden while you are out, or your cat being found injured several streets away.
Someone kindly brings your pet to a veterinary practice. The team scans the microchip, but the telephone number registered is one you stopped using five years ago.
Your pet has been found, but nobody can contact you.
It is an upsetting situation that could often be avoided with just a few minutes spent checking your pet's details.
Please don't assume that because your pet has a microchip, everything is in order. Check that it is registered and that the information is correct.
What Happens When We Find a Stray Pet?
At Roundwood Vets, we are fortunate to have a caring local community. People regularly go out of their way to help animals they believe are lost, frightened or injured.
When a stray or apparently lost pet is brought into the practice, our first priority is to assess whether there are any immediate medical concerns.
We will then usually scan the pet for a microchip and, where possible, attempt to trace the registered keeper.
When the details are correct, it can be a wonderful moment. A quick telephone call can bring enormous relief to a worried family.
Sadly, not every situation ends so simply.
If there is no microchip, or the details are missing or incorrect, we may have no reliable way of identifying the owner.
We can sometimes help by sharing information within our local community, but this is not always successful.
At Roundwood Vets, we are unable to accommodate stray animals as we do not have 24-hour on-site care.
Although we will always do our best to help animals brought to us, their safety and welfare must come first, and we cannot provide the continuous supervision and care needed to house stray pets.
Stray dogs may therefore need to be transferred into the care of the local authority dog warden, who has the appropriate arrangements in place to care for them while attempts are made to locate their owners.
It is important to be aware that once a stray dog has been taken into the care of the council's dog warden service, fees will usually apply. These can include collection, kennelling and other associated costs, and the owner will normally need to pay the relevant charges before their dog can be released back into their care.
The amount charged varies between local authorities and may increase depending on how long the dog remains in kennels.
This can be an unexpected and worrying additional expense for an owner who is already distressed about their missing pet.
A registered microchip with accurate, up-to-date contact details can make all the difference, helping us contact an owner quickly and potentially avoiding the need for a dog to enter the council's stray dog system in the first place.
For us, this is another very important reason to make sure your pet's microchip is registered correctly and that your contact details are always kept up to date.
Not Every Cat Found Outdoors Is a Stray
Something else we see from time to time is a cat being brought into the practice by a concerned member of the public who believes the cat may be lost or abandoned.
Of course, this is nearly always done with the very best intentions, and we are grateful that people care so much about the animals in our community.
However, not every cat seen wandering outdoors is a stray.
Cats are naturally curious and independent, and many enjoy exploring their local neighbourhood. Some are particularly friendly and will happily approach strangers, visit neighbouring gardens or even attempt to invite themselves into someone else's home!
A cat may be picked up just a few doors away from its own home by someone who genuinely believes they are helping.
Unfortunately, if that cat is then taken away from its familiar surroundings, it can cause unnecessary worry for the family, particularly if the microchip is missing, unregistered or linked to outdated contact details.
At Roundwood Vets, when a cat is brought into the practice as a suspected stray, we will assess the cat for any obvious health or welfare concerns and scan for a microchip.
If the cat appears healthy, is not in immediate danger and we are unable to identify an owner, we will usually ask the person who found the cat to return it to the exact location where it was found, provided it is safe to do so.
This gives the cat the opportunity to find its own way home if it is simply exploring its usual neighbourhood.
We will also advertise found cats on our social media pages, helping to spread the word within our local community and hopefully reach anyone who may be looking for their missing pet.
We know how worrying it can be when a much-loved cat doesn't return home, and our aim is always to help reunite pets with their families as quickly and safely as possible.
If you find a cat that appears healthy, comfortable and well cared for, it is worth considering whether the cat may simply be exploring its usual territory.
Before picking up a cat and taking it away from the area, you could:
Ask neighbours whether they recognise the cat.
Check local community groups for missing pet reports.
Observe whether the cat appears settled and familiar with its surroundings.
Contact a veterinary practice or animal welfare organisation for advice if you are unsure.
Of course, if a cat appears injured, unwell, distressed or in immediate danger, please seek veterinary advice promptly.
At Roundwood Vets, we want to help animals who genuinely need assistance while also avoiding unnecessary separation of much-loved pets from their families.
After all, sometimes that friendly cat visiting your garden is simply enjoying a little adventure before heading home for dinner!
Paper Collars: A Simple Way to Find Out if a Cat Has an Owner
If a friendly cat has started visiting your garden regularly, or you are concerned that a cat in your neighbourhood may be lost, a paper collar can be a really useful way of finding out whether the cat has a family nearby.
A paper collar is simply a lightweight strip of paper with a short message asking the cat's owner to get in touch.
For example:
"Hello! This lovely cat has been visiting our garden and we are wondering whether there is an owner nearby. If this is your cat, please contact us on [your telephone number]. Thank you!"
The idea is that when the cat returns home, the owner will notice the message and hopefully make contact, reassuring you that the cat is loved and cared for.
If you decide to try a paper collar, there are a few important things to remember:
Use lightweight paper, rather than string, ribbon or a conventional collar.
Make sure it can tear away easily if the cat becomes caught on something. Never use strong tape, staples or anything that could prevent the collar from breaking.
Fit it loosely and comfortably, ensuring it does not restrict the cat's movement or breathing.
Only attempt this if the cat is calm and comfortable being handled. Never force a collar onto a frightened or distressed cat.
Include a clear, friendly message and a contact number, so the owner can get in touch.
Paper collars are not suitable for every cat, and even a lightweight collar can become caught or cause distress if it is poorly fitted. If you are unsure whether it is safe to use one, please ask a veterinary practice or animal welfare organisation for advice.
You can also find printable paper collar templates and guidance from cat welfare organisations such as Cats Protection.
Of course, a paper collar is not a substitute for microchipping, and not receiving a response does not necessarily mean the cat is a stray. The collar may simply have fallen off, or the owner may not have noticed it.
At Roundwood Vets, we would always encourage people to consider whether a healthy-looking cat may already have a loving home before assuming it has been abandoned.
Sometimes, a little patience, a few conversations with neighbours and a simple paper collar can help solve the mystery of a visiting cat without causing unnecessary worry for its family.
When Should You Update Your Pet's Microchip Details?
Life changes, and it is surprisingly easy to forget about the information stored on your pet's microchip database.
We would encourage you to check and update the details whenever:
You move house.
You change your mobile or telephone number.
You change your surname or other registered details.
You adopt or purchase a pet from someone else.
Your pet's registered keeper changes.
You discover that the microchip has not been registered correctly.
If you have recently welcomed a rescue dog or cat into your home, please do not assume that the rescue organisation or previous keeper has completed the transfer.
It is always worth checking.
Similarly, if you purchased a puppy or kitten from a breeder, make sure you know which database the microchip is registered with and that the appropriate keeper details have been transferred.
Microchip databases are separate from your veterinary practice's records. Updating your telephone number with your vet does not necessarily update the microchip database.
You need to make sure both sets of records are correct.
How Can You Check Your Pet's Microchip?
If you are unsure whether your dog or cat is microchipped, or you cannot remember the microchip number, please don't worry.
Your veterinary team can help.
At Roundwood Vets, we can scan your pet to check whether a microchip is present and read its identification number.
Even if you're confident your pet has been microchipped, please ask us to scan the chip during routine appointments. This helps confirm it is still present and readable, giving you that extra peace of mind.
You can then use that number to find out which database holds the registration.
In the UK, you can use Check-a-Chip to help identify the database associated with a microchip number.
You will need to contact the relevant database directly to check or update the registered keeper details. For privacy and security reasons, full ownership information is not generally available through a public search.
It is also sensible to keep a note of your pet's microchip number somewhere safe, alongside vaccination records and other important documents.
We would recommend making this a small annual habit, perhaps when your pet comes in for their routine health check or vaccination.
It only takes a little time, but it could make an enormous difference one day.
A Little Chip That Offers Enormous Peace of Mind ❤️
When we see a lost or injured pet at Roundwood Vets, we know that somewhere there may be a family worrying, searching and hoping for news.
And we want nothing more than to help bring them back together.
Microchipping is such a small procedure, but it can make an extraordinary difference.
It provides a lasting means of identification, helps veterinary teams and animal welfare organisations trace owners, and gives lost pets a much better chance of returning home.
But please remember, microchipping is only the first step. Making sure the chip is still present, that it is properly registered and that your contact details are up to date are all equally important.
If you haven't checked your dog or cat's microchip details recently, perhaps today is the perfect day to do so.
And if you are unsure whether your pet is microchipped, or would like help understanding how to check the registration, please contact us at Roundwood Vets.
We are always happy to help.
Because every pet deserves the best possible chance of finding their way home.
Microchip implantation costs £36.52 with one of our lovely nursing team at Roundwood Vets.
It's a quick, straightforward procedure with a one-off implantation cost and no annual fees from us. Some database providers may have separate charges for registration services or future updates.
Whether you have a playful new puppy, a curious kitten or an older pet who has never been microchipped, we're here to help.
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