MICROCHIPPING

🐶 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.

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

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🐱 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.

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

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💡 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.

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🛡️ 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.

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🐾 Rocky Road Rescue & Microchipping

 

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

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✅ Before Arrival in the UK:

• Dogs and cats are microchipped in Romania.

• Microchip details are recorded in their Pet Passport and Health Check documentation.

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📦 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.

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🏠 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.

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

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🛏️ 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.

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🐕 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.