Do I have to microchip my dog?
Whether you've chosen a bouncy puppy or a sweet older dog from a Spanish rescue, you want to give them the best, safest life possible. Microchipping, while seemingly small, plays a huge role in ensuring their security.
Yes, UK law mandates that all dogs be microchipped. Any puppy born in the UK must be microchipped and registered on a database by the time it is 8 weeks old. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped when they need to be.
Picture your dog slipping their collar, being startled and running off. Shelters, dog wardens and vets scanning for a microchip become your best chance to find them if they have left their tag on the collar they slipped—the chip links to your contact details, allowing for a speedy reunion. You must keep your contact details up to date, so if you move, or change contact details, remember to update the details on your dog’s microchip.
At Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK, all dogs are microchipped in Spain, we also register your details with PETtrac with Duel Registration and Lifeline Contact. This is all included in your adoption fee.
Duel Registration means that if the organisation that has found your dog cannot get in touch with you, they can contact us.
Good rescue organisations, especially those specialising in bringing dogs from Spain to UK homes, emphasise the legal responsibilities of registering your dog's microchip. It marks their dedication to responsible rehoming and should be discussed with all potential adopters.
In the UK, the dog’s microchip must be registered to a database that meets government standards. Unfortunately, you will find companies that will take your money to register your dog’s microchip, yet they do not meet the government standards. These permitted databases are different for England and Scotland
At the time of writing this blog in April 2024, the permitted databases in England are-
MicroDogID (racing greyhounds only)
The permitted databases for Scotland are currently-
Does my dog’s microchip prove I am their owner?
Actually, no. If a dog’s microchip is registered with your details it can be used as evidence of ownership, but alone it does not prove legal ownership. In addition to the dog’s microchip details, an adoption agreement, insurance and vet records can all be used to establish proof of ownership.
Photo of Luca | Rose Legal, Dog Ownership Disputes: Who Gets the Dog in a Separation or Divorce?
If you are looking to adopt a dog in the UK ask for proof that a microchip has been fitted, this is a legal requirement and the current owner should be willing and able to share this information with you.
When you adopt a Spanish rescue dog with Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK, we ensure your dog is microchipped and your details are registered on a compliant database. This gives you one less thing on your To Do list and saves you the £15-£20 you would normally pay if you were to register the microchip yourself. Responsible dog adoption and dog ownership is a priority for us, as it should be for any overseas dog rescue organisation that you consider adopting through. Don’t be hesitant to ask questions, there are no secrets in the process and the right dog rescue will welcome your queries with open arms.
At Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK we help rescue dogs from Spain find loving homes in the UK.
Adopting a dog from Spain is more straightforward than you might think, we deal with everything for you and with full Rescue Back Up, we are there for you from adoption and every day after that.