Microchipping

Microchipping your dog

Microchipping your dog is compulsory under UK law. It became a legal requirement on 1 April 2016.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a quick and simple procedure. A small chip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. This chip contains a unique ID number that can be read by a scanner.

If your dog is lost or picked up by the Dog Warden, the microchip helps us contact you quickly and return your pet safely.

Why microchipping matters

  • it helps reunite lost dogs with their owners
  • it reduces the number of stray dogs
  • it supports responsible dog ownership
  • it is required by law

If your dog is not microchipped, you could face a £500 fine.

Need help?

You can find more information on microchipping on Gov.uk

You can also contact the Dog Warden Service:
Email: customer.service@hartlepool.gov.uk