Microchipping is a permanent ID system, which involves a chip, no bigger than a grain of rice being implanted under the skin of your pet’s scruff.

Every microchip has a unique number that can be read by a portable scanner, which most vets, local authorities, and rescue homes, including Sandhole Veterinary Centre, have access to, which means your contact details can be easily obtained from the central microchipping database. Once your dog has been scanned and identified by its microchip, a phone call can reunite you with your pet.

Microchipping Is a Legal Requirement

Dog microchipping comes highly recommended by Sandhole Vets, and it is now a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped, and all puppies must be vaccinated by 8 weeks before ownership is transferred from the breeder. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped. It is also worth noting that if you’re planning on taking your pet abroad, they must be microchipped and have a pet passport.

Microchipping Procedure

Sedation is not necessary for the implantation of the microchip as it doesn’t cause much discomfort to the dog. If you can’t remember if your dog has already been microchipped, don’t worry, as we can use a microchip scanner to check. Moreover, we always make sure your dog hasn’t already got a microchip before inserting a new one.

At the time of the microchipping procedure, you will be asked to complete a registration form, from which your details are then submitted to a national database by the Sandhole Vets team. It is also very important to update any changes to your contact details as soon as possible, as your details are kept on the database for your dog’s lifetime (the fee for this is included in the cost of the implantation.)

At Sandhole Vets, all our microchips comply with the International Standard (ISO) and can be recognised by scanners worldwide when used in the Pet Passport scheme.