Where can I go to get my pet microchipped?

Most vets, animal rescue centres, animal wardens and professional implanters should be able to microchip your pet. You can also use our Find an Implanter page to find the nearest professional who is qualified to implant Pet-ID microchips.

How do I register my pet’s microchip?

When your pet is microchipped, your implanter should register the microchip on Chipworks, either online or via their practice management system. They may ask you to complete a registration form for their records. Please ensure that your implanter provides a valid email address for you so that Chipworks can send you a confirmation email with login details to download your registration certificate.

If you find that your pet’s microchip has not been registered on any UK database, you can do it here

If you are a pet professional and need to register microchips, please contact Chipworks to enquire about setting up an account.

My pet has been microchipped and registered with Chipworks – what happens next?

If the implanter has provided a valid email address for you as part of the registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details of how to log in to view the registration and download your registration certificate. You should normally receive the confirmation email within an hour, but if you haven’t received it after 24 hours and you’ve checked your junk/spam folder, please contact Chipworks.

It is important to check your registration details are correct and to ensure they are kept up-to-date. As well as being a legal requirement under compulsory microchipping legislation, it is also the best chance reuniting you with your pet should they go missing.

We recommend that your pet’s microchip is regularly checked. So why not ask your vet to scan it when you take your pet for its annual check-up? This is especially important if you are travelling with your pet on the Pet Travel Scheme.

I’ve moved. How do I update my details?

First, check which database your pet’s microchip is registered on. You can do this here which will provide a link or contact details for the appropriate database. If your pet’s microchip is registered on Chipworks please log in to Chipworks using the microchip number and 5 digit owner/keeper PIN.

Why are there costs for making amendments?

The cost of the microchip includes basic lifetime registration with Chipworks but to enable the database to provide its services including a 24/7 telephone service for lost and found pets, there is a small charge.

My dog is microchipped, does he/she need to wear a collar tag?

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that dogs in public places must wear a collar or tag with the name and address of the owner on the collar itself or on a tag. However, there are certain exceptions. Dogs that are working or on official duties for the Armed Forces etc, packs of hounds and registered Guide Dogs are exempt.

Should I put my pet’s microchip number on its collar tag?

We would not recommend your pet’s microchip number or your pet’s name on a collar tag. The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that dogs in public places must wear a collar or tag with the name, address and postcode of the owner on it. Your telephone number is optional but advisable.

Will the microchip affect or be affected by a magnetic collar or cat flap?

No, the microchip is passive so it only responds to the radio wave sent out by a microchip scanner. If your cat is microchipped, it can still come and go as it pleases using its tag-controlled cat flap. However, when scanning the chip, we would suggest any magnetic collar is removed first.

Do I have to have my pet microchipped?

Compulsory microchipping of dogs has been a legal requirement since April 2016 in England, Scotland and Wales and since 2012 in Northern Ireland. To comply with the law, all dogs over the age of 8 weeks must be microchipped and registered on a Defra compliant UK database. For more information please click here.

What do I do if my pet goes missing?

First, check which database your pet’s microchip is registered on. You can do this here which will provide a link or contact details for the appropriate database. If your pet’s microchip is registered on Chipworks please log in to Chipworks using the microchip number and 5 digit owner/keeper PIN to update your pet’s status. Alternatively contact Chipworks on 0330 107 0958.

Missing dogs should also be reported to your local authority’s animal warden service. All other pets should also be reported to local vets and rescue centres.

If I take my pet abroad can the microchip from Pet-ID be read?

Yes, our microchips can be read by all ISO standard microchip scanners worldwide. Pet-ID Microchips are ISO FDX-B compatible and conform to ISO standards 11784/11785. The majority of countries worldwide have adopted the FDX-B ISO standard but a minority of countries including some states in the USA, still primarily use an older technology called FDX-A. If you are moving to the USA we would generally advise that you have an FDX-A chip implanted, but please contact us first.