Compulsory Since 2016
It is legally mandated across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland that every dog must be microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old. The chip is a tiny rice-sized implant placed under the skin at the scruff of the neck.
The Database Trap
Simply having the physical chip in the dog is not enough to satisfy the law. The microchip number must be correctly registered to an approved UK database (such as Petlog, Identibase, or Animal Tracker) with your exact, current home address and phone number. Failing to update your details after moving house means you are legally non-compliant.
The 21-Day Warning
If a dog warden or police officer finds your dog and scans an unregistered or out-of-date chip, you will be served a notice giving you exactly 21 days to rectify the database. Failure to comply routinely results in £500 criminal fines.