Thousands of pet dogs are lost every year. Even the most careful and loving owners can lose their dogs.  Sadly, many of these dogs and owners are never reunited. Some are lucky and are rehomed but many dogs are still destroyed in stray dog pounds every year.

The best way to ensure you find a missing dog is to have it micro-chipped - implanted with a special microchip 'tag'. It is quite simply the quickest and surest way of getting any lost dog back to its owner safe and sound.

All Hope Rescue dogs are micro-chipped in the rescues name, with the Guardian's details recorded as a second contact. We also have 6 volunteers trained by the Dogs Trust to micro-chip.

Micro-chipping Factsheet

Why micro-chip?

Thousands of pet dogs are lost every year. Even the most careful and loving owners can lose their dogs.  Sadly, many of these dogs and owners are never reunited. Some are lucky and are rehomed but many dogs are still destroyed in stray dog pounds every year.

The best way to ensure you find a missing dog is to have it micro-chipped - implanted with a special microchip 'tag'. It is quite simply the quickest and surest way of getting any lost dog back to its owner safe and sound.

How does it work?

It's simple. Once the dog has been micro-chipped it has its own unique code number.  The owner's name and address is entered next to this number on the computer database. If a lost or stolen animal is found, a scanner passes over the implanted microchip and immediately reveals the number. It then takes just a short while to check the number with the database to find details of the owner who can then be contacted.

How can micro-chipping help to find my lost or stolen dog?

Most rescue/welfare organisations, vets and dog wardens carry scanners which can read the microchips details and access the database.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny electronic device, which stores information about your pet, such at where it lives and who to contact if it becomes lost.

A microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, is injected into the loose skin between the animal's shoulder blades. This procedure is very quick, safe and usually relatively painless, it is no different than giving a standard vaccination that your pets receive.

The chipping process takes only a few minutes to complete.

The chip is made out of inert materials to avoid rejection by the body, has no power source and has an anti-migration coating to avoid movement, once implanted.

Each chip has its own unique ID number.

Once your pet and your details are registered, you will receive a registration certificate. Remember to keep this safe and up to date, so that you can easily be contacted, if your pet goes missing.

The police, RSPCA, dog homes, dog wardens, local authorities and vets can scan the chip. The database will be contacted and the ID number will confirm your address and then you and your pet will be reunited.

My dog has a collar tag so why should it be micro-chipped?

By law all dogs have to wear a collar with a tag showing the name and address of the owner, but accidents do happen. Collars break, identification tags fall off and get lost.  Microchips identify your pet permanently and harmlessly.

Which animals can be micro-chipped?

Most animals - but it is most commonly used on dogs, cats and horses.

My dog has been micro-chipped - what happens now?

Do not touch or bathe the area where the dog has been micro-chipped for 48hrs in order to prevent discomfort for the dog and the microchip from dislodging.

Do not use any flea sprays or drops on your for 48hrs after micro-chipping.

Keep the registration form receipt with the dog's health records in a safe place.

Your new microchip number is the 15-digit number at the top left-hand side corner of the form.  You can write this on your dog's vaccination card, other documents, and pass it onto your vets.

You will receive a certificate in the post with full details of your dog and your address.  If there is anything you need to add/change then get contact them as soon as possible.

The dog is now registered in your name and it is your responsibility to ensure all ownership details are kept up to date.
If your permanent contact details change, it is very important that you inform them of your new address, telephone number and also change of ownership.
(There will be a charge to change address and you will be issued with new documents)

Keep the Microchip ID tag on the dog's collar at all times - this will show that your dog is micro-chipped and ensures they are scanned quickly if found, it also provides a deterrent from someone wishing to steal your dog!

You may wish to have 'micro-chipped' engraved onto your dog's collar in case the other one gets lost.

If you lose your dog - phone the database, local police stations, local council dog  warden services and your local vet.