Microchipping is mandatory but access to affordable implantation and registration varies. Ensuring equitable welfare access to microchipping protects animals across all socioeconomic groups.
The welfare benefit of microchipping depends on the entire system functioning: implantation, registration and database accessibility. Gaps in any element reduce the benefit. Low-income pet owners are least likely to have pets microchipped, meaning stray animals from deprived communities are least likely to be reunited with their owners. Free microchipping events in deprived areas combined with universal, accessible registration databases would dramatically improve reunion rates. Database fragmentation - animals on one system that rescue organisations cannot access - is a systemic welfare failure requiring industry and regulatory reform.