| How
microchipping works in the UK and which microchip do you have? Your
chosen Veterinary practice will decide which microchip you have.
BSAVA
Microchip Advisory Group (MAG)
All companies listed below have committed to a ‘Code of
Practice’ governed by MAG except for Pettrac/Avid, therefore
there is no external quality assurance of their system, even though
they do produce compliant equipment. Because of this DEFRA will
not update their current information regarding compulsory microchipping
and scanning consequently pets that are stolen or ‘run over’
will not be protected by the present microchipping system, lost
pets and the Pet Travel Scheme are.
All
other microchips under the ‘Code of Practice’ are
sold in the UK and are compliant with the International Standards
Organisation (ISO) standards 11784 and 117 85 that covers the
design and operation of both microchips and the scanners to read
them.
Every
Veterinary Practice in the UK microchips pets and all will have
a scanner that will read all the microchips listed below because
they are ISO standard, this is guaranteed by MAG members. At present
most vets will only use scanners for the Pet Travel Scheme, if
they are implanting a microchip or if a stray/lost dog is taken
to them.
The
three Databases and their microchip manufacturers:
| Petlog
(Premium) |
Pettrac |
Anibase
(Locate) |
| Full
24/7 Lost and Found calls |
9-5
Mon-Fri Lost calls
24/7 Found calls
|
9-5
Mon-Fri Lost calls
24/7 Found calls |
Allflex
Bayer
Datamars
Fit and Fertile
Jecta (Eezytrac)
Pet ID
Peddymark Ltd
PetCode (via Dogs Trust only)
Pet-detect
CoreRFID
|
Avid |
Identichip
Virbac
PetCode |
Single
point of telephone contact available 24/7 for Found Pets operated
by Petlog (0870 6066751) Direct access is available to both Petlog
and Anibase and any Pettrac microchips will be given the separate
contact number for their database.
Please
note it is the owner’s responsibility to keep contact details
up to date on the correct database – under the UK law if
a stray pet cannot be reunited with its owner within 7 days it
becomes the property of the local authority and may be disposed
of as they see fit, usually by re-homing!
If
you are unhappy with the database you are on and providing you
remove your details from your current database you can register
with a new reunification service. There will be a one off charge
for transfer and setting up data details. Anibase cover is for
eight years.
At
the end of the day, the choice is yours.
|
