How To Check Your Dog's Microchip Details

Compulsory microchipping for all dogs becomes law in England on 6th April 2016 and in Wales from March 2015. To be effective, this scheme relies heavily on owners checking their dog's microchip details and remembering to keep them up to date.

Now is the time to check those chips and make sure that the details stored are current. But what do you do if your dog has been chipped but you can't remember who, what or where, in order to check?

There are four microchip databases in the UK, so if your dog has been microchipped in the UK, the chip should be registered with one of these, if the corresponding paperwork has been completed.

UK Microchip Databases
- Anibase
- Petlog
- Petprotect
- PETtrac

If you are not sure which database your dog's chip is registered with, visit www.check-a-chip.co.uk and simply type in the number. If you don't know the number, ask your vet to scan for the chip and the number will be obtained.

Below are some key points relating to each microchip database:

	Anibase	Petlog	Petprotect	PETtrac
Which database am I registered with?	Anibase sends a certificate with microchip number, password, and all details listed	Keeper is given documentation at time of implant and is sent confirmation within 14 days	Keeper will receive confirmation when the microchip is registered	Check the chip number on your paperwork. It is registered with PETtrac if it is 15 digits long and begins with 977
Are my details up to date?	Log in online using details on certificate or phone the 24/7 hotline	Check online or by phone using details on certificate	Phone the 24/7 call centre	Check online, by phone or in writing
How do I change my details?	Online, in writing using the form sent with the certificate, or detailing all currently held details	Online, over the phone, in writing using the reverse of the certificate	Over the phone as long as the keeper's name does not change	Online, by phone, in writing
How much does it cost to change my details?	£6 or £17.95 for enhanced Locate service lasting 8 years, includes unlimited changes of address and alerts to authorities if your dog goes missing	£15 by phone or £10 online for unlimited changes during the dog's lifetime and automatic upgrade to Petlog Premium including help with lost pets	£4.95 for one year's worth of changes or £14.95 for the lifetime of your dog	£6 or £16.95 for premium service with free updates, including a brass collar tag and additional benefits
What if there is a change of registered keeper? *	New keepers should request transfer of keepership in writing. Anibase will contact existing keeper to advise transfer will be made within 28 days if no response	Transfer of keepership must be made in writing	Fill in a Petprotect change of ownership form with a signature from previous owner, bill of sale or letter from a vet	Must be completed in writing. Contact PETtrac to obtain a form. PETtrac will seek verification with the registered keeper if supporting documentation is not supplied
What if the situation is tricky?	Both parties will be put in touch with each other in the event of dispute	Contact customer services. If the dispute cannot be resolved it will become a civil matter	If the previous owner is not contactable or is uncooperative, a confirmation from a vet or pound is needed to prove the new owner has taken charge of the dog. A death certificate or letter from a vet or rescue is needed if the previous owner has died	PETtrac will interact with both parties to attempt to resolve the dispute
How do I contact my chipping database?	01904 487600 anibase.com	0844 4633 999 petlog.org.uk	0800 077 8558	0800 652 9977 pettrac.co.uk

* From 2016 the responsibility will be on the previous keeper to complete the change.

This information is reproduced from a Dogs Today Magazine article, strictly with their permission.