Petlog and the Kennel Club Commend Government’s Microchipping Regulations

Petlog and the Kennel Club have praised the Government for its commitment to the compulsory microchipping of all dogs, following the regulations that were laid out in Parliament.

The Kennel Club has campaigned for compulsory microchipping as part of the Microchipping Alliance since 2009 and alongside Petlog, the lost and found database for microchipped pets, welcomed the Microchipping of Dog Regulations 2014.

Compulsory microchipping for all dogs

Within the secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, from April 6 2016, microchipping will be mandatory for all dogs in England as follows:

• Every keeper of a dog which is older than 8 weeks must ensure that the dog is microchipped and registered with an approved microchipping database
• Any changes to a keeper’s details must be updated on an approved microchip database
• Where a dog is transferred to a new keeper – the new keeper must, unless the previous keeper had already done so, record their contact details on an approved microchip database
• No keeper may transfer a dog to a new keeper (this includes breeders) until it has been microchipped, unless a certificate from a veterinary surgeon has been issued regarding the dog’s health

Anyone who does not have their dog microchipped after April 6, 2016 will have 21 days to have the dog microchipped and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £500. Under the new regulations it is also a requirement that the records must be kept up to date and failure to do so could lead to enforcement action resulting in a fine for non-compliance.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary says: “The Kennel Club has always been dedicated to reuniting dogs with their owners through Petlog and through our campaign as part of the Microchipping Alliance to make permanent identification compulsory.

“The microchipping regulations will go a long way towards improving dog welfare by ensuring that dog owners are more aware of their responsibilities, and that microchipping as well as keeping contact details up to date ensures speedy reunification of a missing dog with its owner. In addition, it will add traceability of where each dog has come from, and in turn should assist with improving health and welfare issues such as puppy farming.”

Petlog pet microchip database

Celia Walsom from Petlog says: “We welcome the announcement of the new microchipping regulations. The regulations highlight the importance of dog owners ensuring that they register their pet’s details to an approved database – not only because this is now a legal requirement but also because it is in the interest of the welfare of their dogs to do so. With over 12,000 lost and found telephone calls received by Petlog alone in one month, it is critical that contact details are kept up to date – it is heartbreaking for all concerned when we cannot reunite lost pets with their owners.

“The regulations include provisions for everything from ensuring the quality of the microchip being to ISO standard, training requirements of implanters and responsibilities laid down for approved databases. We are very committed to ensuring that this benefits all dog owners and most importantly improves the welfare of the millions of dogs in this country.”