What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small tube about the size of a grain of rice that contains a unique code (identification number). The chip is made of an inert material which means it has no power source and won't be rejected by your pet's body. To retrieve your pet's identification number, a scanner is passed over their body, this sends out a magnetic field, which picks up the 15 letter code imprinted on the chip. This code shows up automatically on the scanner's screen; the owner can be identified from this code and be contacted via the central database. Microchipping your pet is not expensive and can be done without sedation of your pet. We recommend that puppies are microchipped from the age of 10 weeks.
The information stored on a microchip implant is held on a central computer (The National Register) allowing owners to be found quickly. Remember to let the company know of any change in your address or your phone numbers. They will charge a small fee to change your address.
It is also a requirement for the pets' passport as each animal is scanned at the port when it enters and exits a country.
The pet travel scheme allows cats and dogs to travel to some European countries without quarantine against rabies. The needs for your pet are:
(1) an identification microchip
(2) rabies vaccination
(3) a 'pass' blood test approx 3 weeks later
(4) a pet passport issued by us.
This needs to be started at least 7 MONTHS BEFORE TRAVEL.
There are other requirements and costs, for instance yearly rabies boosters, tick and tapeworm treatment before returning to the U.K. and exotic disease protection whilst abroad.
Please ask us for advice.
Link to Defra website for further information on travelling with your pet
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