Microchipping cats and dogs in England: it's now the law

Under The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, both dogs and cats must be microchipped in England. The rule already applied to dogs; for cats a microchip became compulsory from 10 June 2024.

From what age

A dog must be microchipped once it is older than 8 weeks; a cat once it is older than 20 weeks. Certain certified working dogs are exempt. A microchip is a tiny capsule under the skin that links the animal to its keeper.

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The keeper's duties

Implanting the chip is not enough — the animal's details and the keeper's contact information must be recorded on a compliant database and kept up to date. When ownership changes, the new keeper must update the record, and an animal can only be transferred to a new keeper once it has been microchipped. If you move house or change your phone number, update the database, or the chip will not lead to you.

If you don't

Authorised officers enforce the rules: they can serve a notice requiring you to microchip the animal. Failing to comply is an offence carrying a fine; the authorities can also have the animal microchipped and recover the cost from the keeper.