Microchip Information

🐶 Dog Microchipping Law (UK)

Since April 2016, it is a legal requirement for all dog owners to:

Have their dog microchipped.
Keep their contact details up to date with an approved microchip database.

🔺 Failure to comply can result in a £500 fine.

🐱 Cat Microchipping Law (UK)

As of new legislation introduced in 2023, all cats must:

Be microchipped before reaching 20 weeks of age.
Have their owner’s contact details stored and maintained in a DEFRA-compliant microchip database.

🗓️ Deadline: 10 June 2024
❗ Failure to comply may result in a £500 fine.

💡 What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny device (about the size of a grain of rice) inserted just under the skin, usually at the back of the neck.
It contains a unique identification number that can be read with a microchip scanner.

This number is then linked to the owner’s:

Name
Address
Phone number

via a secure microchip database.

🛡️ Why Microchipping Matters

If a dog or cat goes missing or is stolen:

Vets, animal wardens, or shelters can scan the microchip.
The database reveals the owner’s contact information.
Pets and owners can be reunited quickly and safely.

🐾 Rocky Road Rescue & Microchipping

All animals rehomed by Rocky Road Rescue follow a thorough microchipping process:

✅ Before Arrival in the UK:

Dogs and cats are microchipped in Romania.
Microchip details are recorded in their Pet Passport and Health Check documentation.

📦 During Transport:

Microchips are registered to Rocky Road Rescue as the keeper using the Animal Tracker database
📍 www.animaltracker.co.uk
Rocky Road Rescue is listed as a Welfare Organisation.

🏠 Upon Adoption:

Keepership is transferred to the adopter.
The adopter receives an email and/or text from Animal Tracker with a unique code to:
- Register the microchip in their name.
- Update their contact details.

📌 It is the adopter’s responsibility to keep microchip details up to date.

🛏️ Foster Care & Surrender

While in foster care, Rocky Road Rescue retains keepership.
If an animal is surrendered back to the rescue, keepership must be transferred back to Rocky Road Rescue.

🐕 Even if an animal’s microchip is registered to a new owner, Rocky Road Rescue’s information remains linked in the database for added security, in case the pet is found or scanned.