The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations for England were announced in October 2014, and outlined the responsibilities of dog owners once microchipping becomes compulsory in England from 6 April, 2016.
The keeper of a dog (which in relation to a newborn puppy is the owner of the bitch which gave birth to it and in relation to any other dog, the person with whom the dog normally resides) will have until 6 April 2016 to have their dog microchipped and register the details with a database that is compliant with the conditions as laid down in the government regulations. Any changes to a keeper's details must be kept updated with the microchip database.
From 6 April 2016 all puppies must be microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old (prior to leaving the breeder), and registered with a database that is compliant. Anyone who does not have their dog microchipped after 6 April 2016 could have a notice served and will have 21 days to have the dog microchipped, failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £500 (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2015a).
Where a dog is transferred to a new keeper, the new keeper must, unless the previous keeper had already done so, record their contact details on a government compliant microchip database. No keeper may transfer a dog to a new keeper (this includes breeders) until it has been microchipped, unless a certificate from a veterinary certificate has been issued regarding the dog's health.
Full details need to be recorded on a compliant microchip database for the dog and the keeper. This includes the name and address of the keeper, and if the keeper is the breeder and has a local authority licence this will also need to be recorded.
Regarding implanting microchips, no person may implant a microchip unless they are a veterinary professional or if they have been on a government approved training course.
‘Failure to comply with compulsory microchipping could result in a fine of £500 for the dog owner.’
In the unlikely event that there is an adverse reaction to a microchip or failure of a microchip anyone who identifies this must report via an online form to The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (2015).
Microchipping in other areas
The Welsh and Scottish governments are working towards bringing in compulsory microchipping in the spring of 2016, in line with England. The Republic of Ireland announced in February 2015 that microchipping will be compulsory for dogs with the dog microchipping programme being rolled out on a phased basis, beginning with puppies in September 2015 and expanded to all dogs by March 2016. Northern Ireland led the way by being the first devolved administration in the UK to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs held under an individual dog licence in April 2012.
Implanting microchips
While veterinary surgeons were exempt from any further training requirements in the regulations, Defra initially envisaged that veterinary nurses would be required to undertake further training regarding implanting. However, following negotiations with Defra where it was stressed that registered veterinary nurses are already sufficiently trained to be able to safely implant a microchip, and would be doing so under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, Defra subsequently has agreed that registered veterinary nurses are already sufficiently qualified to implant microchips, and will therefore be exempt from further training requirements when new legislation comes in for England. Wales and Scotland are currently considering the details of implementation.
Exemptions from the regulations
The first exemption is where a veterinarian has certified the dog as a working dog and docked its tail in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, 2006. In such cases the time limit for the dog to be microchipped and details recorded with a database is extended to 12 weeks. Even if a puppy comes under this exemption it must still be microchipped before it is passed on to a new keeper.
The second exemption is where a veterinarian certifies that a dog should not be microchipped because it could adversely affect its health. In such cases a veterinary surgeon would have to certify that this was the case and state when the exemption expired. The dog would then need to be microchipped on the expiry of that time limited certificate unless a veterinarian issued a further exemption certificate because of ongoing concerns with the dog's health. In this case the decision to exempt a dog from being microchipped would be made by the veterinary surgeon. In such a case a breeder may pass the puppy on with a copy of the veterinary exemption certificate and any time limit for microchipping, although it would be for the puppy buyer to decide whether to take the dog given this information.
A compliant database
In addition to all dogs being microchipped, the keeper of the dog must also ensure the dog is registered with a database that is compliant with the conditions as laid down in the government regulations and it is the keeper's responsibility to ensure they keep their contact details updated. Failure to comply could result in dog owners being fined up to £500. In order to ensure clients are not penalised, always ensure that client's details are registered on a microchip database that complies with government legislation.
How do you know if a database is compliant? It is recommended that you always check with both the microchip supplier and the associated database.
Defra have set down database operator requirements that have to be met for the database to become compliant with the regulations (The National Archives, 2015). Database operators found not to be compliant may be served with a notice and failure to comply would ultimately lead to prosecution.
One of Defra's conditions is that all compliant microchip databases need to provide each other with the means to identify which database a pet's microchip is registered with. To meet this particular condition Anibase, Avid (PETtrac), Pet Identity UK, Petlog, Pet Protect, Protected Pet and SmartChip (Smart Trac) have joined together to deliver an online microchip lookup tool which will enable veterinary practices and pet owners to accurately check which database a pet's microchip is registered with.
Veterinary practices are now able to enter a microchip number on any one of the seven listed database websites and the number will be checked with all seven databases.
If the number is valid and the microchip can be located, the status of the microchip, plus the name and contact details of the database is returned. Only the microchip number is checked and no personal data on the owner/keeper or animal is shared. Retrieval of information will still require a secure login from an authorised user account. Should a microchip number not be located on any of the databases, the database operators will try to determine which database it should be located on by premise of the manufacturer prefix number. This will ultimately make it easier for veterinary practices when trying to locate a dog's owner as well as ensuring their client is aware of their database from 2016.
The impact on veterinary nurses
A lot of the feedback Petlog have received from veterinary nurses is in relation to enforcement and scanning.
Defra have confirmed that veterinary practices will not be expected to enforce the regulations. They have highlighted that everyone in the practice should be aware of the legislation, and registered veterinary nurses and surgeons are able to report non-compliance to an enforcement officer if they have any concerns. Registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons are advised to consult the RCVS before doing so regarding issues of client confidentiality (RCVS, 2015b).
Although the scanning of dogs is not compulsory, veterinary practices are encouraged by Defra to help their clients understand their responsibilities as a dog owner.
Promoting microchipping in practice
National Microchipping Month takes place in June every year with the aim to educate pet owners about the benefits of microchipping and the importance of keeping contact details up to date. Ahead of compulsory microchipping in April 2016 this is now increasingly important. Promotion of microchipping provides veterinary practices with an opportunity to engage with pet owners about the subjects of microchipping, changes in legislation and responsible ownership.
There are a range of different ways veterinary nurses can promote microchipping in practices from videos in the waiting room to posters throughout the practice and starting discussions during consultations. Starting discussions and engaging with clients from now on and answering any questions or concerns dog owners in particular may have with respect to microchipping and the new legislation will help combat any problems in the future ensuring that clients are prepared and ready for the new legislation and in particular that they remember to keep their contact details up to date.
For more information on the different ways to promote microchipping visit www.nationalmicrochippingmonth.org.uk to receive a free vet pack.
Introduction of compulsory microchipping — what it means to the Blue Cross
With less than a year to go until new microchipping rules come into force, research commissioned by Blue Cross pet charity has shown that almost of half the dog owners questioned did not know it will be compulsory by law for all dogs to be microchipped by next spring (6 April, 2016). Many owners were not even aware of existing laws, with over 70% not knowing they could face a fine if their dog is not wearing a collar and tag when in public. Less than 1% knew the fine for breaking this regulation can be up to £5000.
The survey, compiled from 2000 dog owners across Britain, also revealed that over half of the nation's dogs have run off at least once in the past.
The charity has long recommended that owners microchip their pets to help reunite them if they go missing. Sadly, Blue Cross rehoming centres admitted 1673 stray dogs and cats last year because their owners could not be traced.
One of those pets was staffie cross, Taters, who was recently found as stray and brought to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Northiam, East Sussex.
Sarah Bussell, Rehoming Supervisor at Northiam Blue Cross said: ‘So many animals arrive at our centres as strays but they have clearly been cared for and could be much-loved and much missed pets. Dogs like Taters, who is just over a year old, came to us from the pound. She is a lovely dog who understands basic commands so someone must have taken the time to train her. Her owner could be missing her if she is lost but without a microchip there is no way we can trace them.’
Sarah added: ‘It is important to teach your dog to come back to you when called and make sure it wears a tag and is microchipped, which will help increase the chances of you being reunited if they become lost. It also means you will be fully compliant with the law in time for the new regulations about microchipping coming into force.’
The survey revealed that one in five owners does not have their pet dog microchipped, and half of these owners admit they probably will not have it done. This could mean approximately two million dogs still need to be microchipped and owners are risking a hefty fine in a year's time.
Sophia Khan, Media Officer, Blue Cross
