Pets with accurate information linked to their microchips are 54% more likely to be reunited with their owners. Microchipped pets should have their owner’s information stored in a database. However, around 1 in 3 pet owners in the UK don’t know which database their pet is registered with, let alone have accurate information stored. We sat down with Petdatabase.com to understand a bit more about microchips and how they can help you keep your information up to date, for free.
How do microchips work?
A microchip is a small chip, about the size of a grain of rice, that is placed under your pet’s skin as a means of identification if your pet is ever lost. This chip can be scanned to show the chip number. This number can then be looked up on any DEFRA (Department of Environmental, Food, Rural Affairs) compliant database to find the saved owner details. For this reason, a microchip is only as effective as the data that is stored against that chip number. That’s why keeping the information on your pet’s microchip is so important.
What happens if my pet is lost?
Did your four-legged friend wander off after catching the scent of a fox in the woods? If it happens, they will most likely end up in the care of a vet, warden, or rescue. Here they can scan your pet’s microchip to find out who the owner is. Now, to make reaching you as easy as possible, make sure to keep your information up to date, for example when you move house. Sadly, 64% of stray dogs in rescues have out-of-date chip information. By keeping your dog’s microchip details up to date, you can help change this stat.
Do you know which database your pet is registered with?
Bringing a new dog home is super exciting – it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the new toys and treats in those first few weeks. It’s important to remember to also get your dog registered with a local vet, book them in for their vaccinations, and to update their microchip details. During this transition period, it’s really important, and a legal requirement, that you update the microchip information to your own details, and continue to do so should you move home. Unfortunately, in many cases of stray pets, the microchip shows the pet as still registered with the breeder or the first owner and sometimes has no information at all making it harder to reunite lost pets with their loved ones.
It is also really important that you ensure that your microchip is registered with a DEFRA-approved database. This not only makes sure that your personal information is securely stored but also ensures that should your pet ever go missing a vet, warden or rescue will be able to get in contact with you. If you’re unsure of where your information is stored, reach out to your vet.
Keeping your microchip details up to date
You’re fully in control of your microchip information. There are now 18 DEFRA-approved microchip databases and you can choose where your information is stored. Our friends at PetDatabase.com offer free updates for life, plus they provide a really simple and 100% secure switching service.
What you can enjoy with PetDatabase.com:
- Free updates, for life
- Quick, safe and secure
- Free lost pet service
- ‘Safety Ping’ alerts whenever your chip is scanned
- No boring admin, they manage the transfer for you
