Every approved UK pet microchip database

1. Look at the paperwork from your vet, breeder or rescue: the database name is usually on it.
2. Ask your vet. They scan the chip and can look the number up in seconds, usually while you wait.
3. Use a lookup service such as [Check-a-Chip](https://www.check-a-chip.co.uk/), which tells you which database holds a chip number, or the free [MyPet microchip search](https://mypethq.io/microchip-search/).
4. If nothing comes back, ring the database you think it is. Records do get lost when a database is bought by another company.

These are the databases the government lists as compliant. Registering on one of them is what the law asks for, so if your pet isn’t on any of these, the chip doesn’t count.

• [AnimalData](https://animaldata.org.uk/)
• [Animal Microchips](https://animalmicrochips.co.uk/)
• [Animal Tracker](https://www.animaltracker.co.uk/)
• [ChipHERO](https://chiphero.uk/)
• [Chipped Monkey](https://chippedmonkey.co.uk/)
• [Chipworks](https://www.chipworks.co.uk)
• [DKC](https://dkc.org/)
• [FidoID](https://fidoid.co.uk/)
• [Greyhound Chip ID](https://greyhoundchipid.co.uk/) (racing greyhounds only)
• [HomeAgain](https://www.homeagain.co.uk/)
• [Identibase](https://www.identibase.co.uk/)
• [Lost Paws](https://lostpaws.co.uk/)
• [MicroChip Central](https://www.microchipcentral.com/)
• [My Animal Trace](https://myanimaltrace.com/)
• [MyPet](https://mypethq.io/microchip-search/)
• [National Veterinary Data Service](https://nvds.co.uk/)
• [Pet Database](https://petdatabase.com/)
• [Pet Identity UK](https://www.petidentityuk.info/)
• [Petlog](https://www.petlog.org.uk/)
• [PetScanner](https://www.petscanner.com/)
• [ProtectedPet](https://www.protectedpet.com/)
• [SmartTrace](https://smarttrace.org.uk/)
• [UK PETtrac MicroChip Database](https://www.pettrac.co.uk/)
• [We Trace Pets](https://wetracepets.com)

• Dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old.
• Cats in England must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old.
• The record must be on one of the approved databases above.
• You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat isn’t chipped, or isn’t registered on an approved database, when it should be.

Moving house or changing your number is the moment most chips quietly stop working. Log in to your database and change the details there: it’s free on some, a few pounds on others. Our guide on updating microchip details walks through it, including what to do when you can’t remember the login.

When you take on a rescue or buy a puppy, the record has to be transferred into your name, not just have your phone number added. Ask the rescue or breeder to start the transfer before your pet comes home.

Yes. You can register the same chip number on another approved database, and some charge nothing to do it. Just make sure the one you use day to day has the right phone number, because a warden or vet ringing the wrong record is the same as no record at all.

A chip only helps once somebody with a scanner has your pet: a vet, a warden or a rescue. A collar tag is what lets the neighbour who catches your dog ring you in the first ten minutes. Use both: what to put on a dog tag sorts the engraving, and a QR tag carries the rest, including your vet and the chip number.