Action for Animals Supports Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Microchipping



Safeguard your pet
Getting pets fitted with a microchip is an effective way of permanently linking pets to their owners, increasing the chances of them being reunited if the animal is lost, stolen or strays.

Tim Miles, RSPCA chief veterinary adviser, said: "The RSPCA has been able to reunite cats and dogs with their owners months or even years after they first went missing and have been given up for lost thanks to a microchip. But sadly all too frequently the Society has to find new homes for animals because there is no way of tracing their owners.

What is a microchip?
Microchips are no bigger than a grain of rice and are inserted into the scruff of an animal's neck. Each microchip has a unique number, which is entered into a national database alongside the owner's name, address and telephone number.

A hand-held scanner, carried by vets and local authority dog wardens, can then read the details of the microchip if a lost of injured animal is found.

It is important to remember that once you have had your pet microchipped you should register your details with the national database Petlog, and make sure you keep your contact information up to date.

More than 750,000 animals have already been microchipped in the UK. Cats, dogs and other animals from RSPCA centres are routinely microchipped before being rehomed. A microchip is also one of the essential requirements for cats and dogs to get a pet passport under the Pet Travel Scheme.

© 2005 Action for Animals