Microchipping and Companion Animal Welfare

Microchipping significantly improves outcomes for lost or stolen companion animals, reducing time spent in shelters and preventing welfare harms from prolonged separation.

Key Facts

Microchipped dogs are 2.5 times more likely to be reunited with owners than non-microchipped dogs
Dog microchipping became mandatory in England in 2016, with cat microchipping mandatory from 2024
Only 58% of UK cats were microchipped before the mandatory requirement came into force
Microchips last the lifetime of the animal and do not require battery replacement
A single failed reunion due to lack of microchipping can mean euthanasia for an otherwise healthy animal

Welfare Considerations

Microchipping is a simple, low-cost welfare intervention with profound benefits. Lost animals face immediate welfare harms — exposure, starvation, road accidents and psychological distress from separation. Animals that cannot be identified are held in shelters, causing further stress, and are eventually euthanized if unclaimed. Reuniting owned animals with their families prevents these harms. Mandatory microchipping has improved reunion rates, but compliance and keeping registration details updated remain challenges. The greatest barrier is often cost for low-income pet owners — subsidized microchipping programs address this effectively.

What You Can Do

Microchip all owned pets and keep registration details up to date
Support low-cost microchipping programs for pets owned by people on low incomes
Advocate for enforcement of mandatory microchipping requirements
Scan any found animals at a veterinary practice to check for microchips before assuming they are strays