Microchips are essential for reuniting lost pets with their owners . They are a legal requirement for dogs and are advisable for all cats. Implanting a microchip is straightforward and can be done in the comfort of your own home.
A microchip in your cat also allows you to use a use a modern catflap that reads her microchip, meaning that only your cat can access your house. Unwanted cats coming into the house are a massive source of stress for cats and can predispose to stress related disorders such as cystitis and anxiety.
If you have an indoor cat, we would still recommend a microchip. It is not unknown for cats to escape or wander outside and it is best to have them microchipped to be on the safe side.
Microchips are a legal requirement in all dogs over 8 weeks old. New puppies will often come with a microchip already implanted. If not, we can fit one at the same time as a vaccination. We can also microchip older dogs who may not have been done as pups, before the legislation came into force.
Microchips are small implants about the size of a grain of rice that go under the skin between the shoulder blades, and can be quickly and easily fitted in the comfort of your own home. They are implanted with a bigger needle than the ones used in vaccinations, but we often find that as long as there are some yummy treats used as a distraction, your pet will be happily occupied and won’t even notice what’s going on!
Once your pet is microchipped, we will register the microchip with all your details for you. It is important to keep these details up to date if you move house or change contact details. This can be done easily by contacting your microchip provider.
There are multiple microchip databases so if you are unsure which one your chip is registered with, you can contact one of the databases listed below and they will be able to point you in the right direction.