Microchipping 

A microchip is a small implant with a unique reference number. Once it is implanted in your animal, your details are linked with your animal’s reference number on a central database. This means that if your pet is lost or stolen and the chip is scanned, the details can be used to reunite you both. It must be noted that when we are unable to contact an owner with details of a lost pet it is usually because the contact details are out of date so please remember to tell the company when they change. We mainly microchip dogs and cats but other animals can be identified in this way too. 

Microchipping is compulsory for:

ALL dogs over the age of 8 weeks (or before then if moving to a new home), the ONLY exceptions being those dogs who have a veterinary certificate exempting them from the procedure. If your dog has a docked tail then the microchip details must be entered in their docking certificate.

ALL pets travelling abroad 

We recommend microchipping for all cats with outdoor access and ideally also indoor cats in case of escape. If you would prefer your cat to be microchipped whilst under anaesthetic we can arrange to do this at the time of routine neutering or any other non-emergency anaesthetic. 

It is hoped that compulsory microchipping in dogs and horses will:

• Improve animal welfare by making it easier to return a stray or stolen animal to its owners
• Develop responsible ownership by ensuring greater traceability of owners
• Help to establish liability and prove ownership
• Assist in control measures in case of diseases that can be passed from animals to humans
• Deter theft
• Maintain food safety (horses)

Please remember that it is your responsibility as the owner to update your contact details when they change, the number one reason for being unable to reunite a found, microchipped animal with their owner is because the contact details are no longer valid.