Microchipping your pet

What is Microchipping?

An animal microchip is roughly the size of a large grain of rice and uses radio frequency to transmit a 15 digit number to a microchip reader, to be able to identify your pet. The microchip is safely, quickly and simply inserted under the skin of your pet, the procedure only takes a couple of seconds but should last a lifetime, apart from the odd occasion where it may fail or come out, but if inserted correctly by a vet or trained microchip implanter it is likely to last a lifetime.

The cost of Microchipping. Reason to Microchip.

Microchipping is usually around £10 but there are several schemes and rescues that often offer microchipping for free, it will ensure that if your pet is found then it is likely to be reunited with you as soon as possible.

Various animals can be microchipped including cats, rabbits, birds and even some reptiles, so it is worth looking into, if you have a pet. It is law in the UK as of 2016 that you MUST microchip your dogs, regular checks should take place.

Not Microchipping vs Microchipping

If your animal is found and taken to a vet or professional to get checked for a microchip and no chip is found, they have 7 days for the owner to come forward, if no owner comes forward then the animal can be rehomed.

If your animal is found and taken to a vet or professional to get checked for a microchip and a microchip is found, then the 15 digit number is checked on the pet log database, where the registered owners details should be and you will be contacted and hopefully reunited with your beloved pet.

If your details however are not up to date or they are unable to reach you on the number provided, then you will have 30 days to get in contact, after the 30 days your pet can be rehomed. So it is extremely important to keep your details up to date, there is however a small charge for this service.

So if you find an animal that you believe may be lost or stolen, then please take it to your local vets or rescue, then hopefully they can be reunited with their owners.

One of our Foster bunnies, Bilbo and I, in 2017

Rabbits can be microchipped in the UK, but hamsters currently can not.