How pet microchipping works
At MyPet, we believe that getting your pet microchipped is the best way of making sure you’re reunited if they get lost or stolen. All pets should be microchipped — a collar or tag can fall off or be removed, but a microchip is a more permanent way to identify your pet and keep them safe.
Anyone can search a microchip number to check if their pet has been registered: https://www.mypethq.io/microchip-search/
What is a Microchip and what is it used for?
A microchip is a small electronic chip — around the size of a grain of rice- which is implanted under your pet’s skin. It contains a unique number which is stored on a database against the owner’s name and contact details. If the pet goes missing, then the pet’s microchip number can be read using a microchip reader and cross-referenced with the database information so that the pet and the owner can be re-united.
It is a legal requirement in the UK to get your dog microchipped and you can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped.
For further information please see https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped
Can I microchip my budgie?
Yes! You can microchip any pet where physically possible. In fact compulsory microchipping for cats could arrive in 2021 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cat-microchipping-consultation-launched.
How can I microchip my pet?
If your pet has not been microchipped and you would like to change that, I’d advise arranging an appointment with your local veterinary practice. Vets do the lion’s share of microchipping in the UK and that is the recommended route.
When you have implanted your chip you need to register your chip number on a microchip database. You need to be careful to choose a DEFRA (Department
for Environment Food & Rural Affairs) compliant database listed here: https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped
I would recommend avoiding databases that have recently ‘suffered’ security breaches too: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56536389
The cheapest (and best) database is called MyPet, you can register your chip for a £1.99 one-off fee: https://app.mypethq.io/register
You need to create a user account, enter pet details and pay — the whole process takes ~ 2 minutes.
At the time of writing these were the prices of other microchip databases:
Pet microchipping can help fight against the problem of pet theft and significantly help reuniting lost pets and their owners. As pet owners we have a responsibility to protect our pets, so make sure your pet is registered and your contact details are kept up to date!
I’m happy to answer any of your questions in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
