Hope for lost pet owners as microchipping rules for dogs and cats are tightened

Lost animals will be easier to reunite with their owners under new rules for the microchipping of animals.

Until now, returning a lost dog or cat could be complex as the owners’ details were stored in multiple computer databases.

But the changes mean police, vets and local authorities will be able to go to a single “central portal” to check ownership of a cat or dog. This will allow them to control a microchip to link with their owners.

Pet owners have greater protection from dognapping or theft – as a new rule will make it more difficult for stolen animals to be registered to new owners.

Any attempt to register a dog or cat under a new owner will be flagged, and the current keeper will have 28 days to object.

Database operators must also provide a field indicating whether the animal has been reported as “missing”.

This will cause suspicion if someone tries to register a pet that belongs to someone else.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas Miller said: “Pets are valuable members of the family, so it can be devastating for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it faster for vets, local authorities and the police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard animals from theft and increasing the likelihood of them being returned at home the lost animals”.

Michael Webb, Battersea’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Battersea is incredibly pleased with these reforms to the microchipping system, which will improve services for owners, enforcement and rescues.

“We see dogs and cats arrive at our centers every day with outdated microchips, or unfortunately no microchips at all, making it almost impossible for our staff to reunite people with their pets.

“These reforms, which we have been calling for for some time, will not only help rescues like Battersea reunite more pets in less time, but also hopefully better protect dogs and cats from theft.”

The reforms come as a new deadline for cat owners of June 10, 2024, when all cats in England must be microchipped under a new law that could see their owners face a £500 fine if they don’t they don’t.