Effective from 6th April 2016, The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 requires all dogs to be microchipped.
Key requirements
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Microchipping
Owners of dogs and puppies over eight weeks old must have their pets microchipped.
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Registration
Microchip details must be registered on one of the authorised databases managed by private companies (not by the government or the council).
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Updating Details
Owners must keep their pet’s details up to date with the database.
Additional legal requirements
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Collar and Tag
Dogs must wear a collar and tag with the owner’s name and address when in a public place.
Compliance and fines
Owners who do not get their dog microchipped and registered may face a fine. Ipswich Borough Council will write to anyone with a dog found not to have a microchip requiring one to be fitted, failure to comply with this requirement may result in fines of up to £500.
The only exceptions to this law for pet dogs are those who a vet believes should not be chipped for health reasons.
Re-homing a dog
If you re-home your dog to someone else, you must give the new owner the correct microchip registration paperwork so that they can contact the database and register as the dog’s new owner.
Getting your dog microchipped
Contact your local vet to find out how to have your dog microchipped. They will provide all the necessary details and guide you through the process.