Can I Use A Dogs Microchip To Proof Ownership?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Microchips are not SOLE LEGAL proof of ownership

and here is why… Often, when pets are microchipped, they are implanted at rescues, from breeders, from shelters, or at a veterinary office. This can happen at any stage of a pet’s life. It is then up to the owner of the pet to register the pet’s chip.

What information does a dog microchip contain?

Each microchip contains

a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip

. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. An animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number.

Is a microchip proof of ownership UK?

Is my dog’s microchip proof of ownership?

No

. Under the new Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations legislation, the person who primarily cares for the dog and keeps them in their home is called a ‘keeper’, not an ‘owner’. The dog’s microchip must be registered to the ‘keeper’, who may not always be the owner.

Can you track pets with microchips?


No, you cannot track your dog through its microchip

. A dog microchip is a tiny Near Field Communication (NFC) technology transponder inserted under a dog’s skin to give a permanent ID. Microchips can’t provide real-time tracking as a radio frequency identification device; they are ideal for pet identification.

How do I transfer ownership of a microchip UK?


You will need the pet’s microchip number and exact date of birth to transfer the registration online

. If you don’t know the date of birth, you can ask the previous keeper to start the transfer from within their account. They will need your email address and phone number to start the transfer.

What do you do if someone won’t give your pet back?

  1. Call the police right away and ask to file a report. …
  2. Give the HomeAgain lost pet recovery service the details of the alleged theft. …
  3. Call all of the shelters, veterinary offices, and grooming salons in your town and neighboring towns.

Who is the legal owner of a microchipped dog?

Microchips need to be registered to what the law calls

the “keeper”

– that is the individual with whom the dog normally resides. In most cases the owner and the keeper will be the same person, but it is very important that you ensure the details are accurate and comply with the guidelines set out by law.

How can I legally get my dog back from my ex?

If your former partner already has taken your pet with them,

coming to an agreement together

may be the best chance you have of getting your pet back. If you end up having to take them to court and they already have possession of the animal, chances are the court will end up awarding custody to them.

How do I legally transfer ownership of a dog?


Fill out a license transfer form

.

You can pick up a transfer form at animal shelters, or from many veterinarians. You may also be able to download a copy of the form online. The form requires information about you and the new owner, as well as basic information about the pet.

Do microchips have GPS?


Pet microchips do not have GPS technology

. Instead, they use Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that is able to be scanned for information, like the pet owner’s contact information. This means that microchips can’t give your pet’s location if they get lost, but can lead to their safe return when found.

Can dogs have two microchips?

If animal professionals don’t scan thoroughly, your pet’s chip may be missed.

If your pet ends up with two microchips, you will need to register and update both registrations for the same reason

.

How do you check if a dog is microchipped?

To tell if a dog is microchipped,

gently feel the dog’s skin between its shoulder blades and its neck. See if you can feel a small, hard object about the size of a grain of rice just beneath the skin

. If so, the dog is microchipped. If you can’t feel a chip, however, the dog may still have one.

How do I find the owner of a pet microchip?

Check the ​

AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool will assist you to find the owner information that is registered with the microchip or provide the chip’s manufacturer. (Shelters will find our microchip format sheet very helpful.)

Can you implant a GPS in your dog?

GPS dog trackers contain complex hardware to receive and interpret location information from satellites.

Currently, this hardware is simply too big to fit inside an implant that sits underneath your dog’s skin

. Additionally, GPS trackers need to be charged, unlike your dog’s microchip.

Can I GPS my dog?

Unlike a microchip,

a GPS tracker allows you to track your dog in real-time

, so you can find your dog immediately, should they ever go missing.

Is Kennel Club registration proof of ownership?

The Kennel Club registration

does not equate to legal ownership

.

Is there an app to scan pet microchips?

Unfortunately, no. A smart phone can not and will not ever be able to read a pet’s microchip.

There are no apps for iphone or android that do this

and there never will be.

How do you change the name on a dog’s microchip?

Microchip Database Contact to Change Details Register/Change Details Online Contact Info Chipworks online only n/a

What is the most commonly stolen dog?

  • French Bulldog – 149 thefts.
  • Jack Russell Terrier – 107 thefts.
  • Pug – 97 thefts.
  • Bulldog – 94 thefts.
  • German Shepherd – 93 thefts.
  • Yorkshire Terrier – 77 thefts.
  • Cocker Spaniel – 66 thefts.
  • American Bulldog – 63 thefts.

Who owns a dog in a breakup?

In the event of a simple breakup,

the person who bought the dog usually gets to keep possession

. The exception is when the dog was bought as a clear gift to the other partner. In that case, the dog may belong to the recipient.

Can I get my dog back if I gave it away?

Answer.

People who give away or sell their animal generally have no further legal rights to that animal

. The person who adopted the animal or purchased the animal does not typically have to return the animal unless there was an agreement that stated otherwise.

Should a puppy be microchipped before being sold?

Puppies cannot be sold until they’re eight weeks old, and

they must be microchipped before you can buy them

. Breeders must also register their details on the database, and their details will be recorded against the microchip for the life of the dog.

How do I transfer ownership of a microchip with HomeAgain?

This may be done

online by logging into the HomeAgain Vet Portal or HomeAgain Shelter Portal, or by mailing in the microchip enrollment form

. Owners may register their pets online at HomeAgain.com or by calling 1-888-HomeAgain (1-888-466-3242).

What are the side effects of microchipping a dog?

The most common microchip side effect for dogs is

migration of the chip from where it’s originally implanted

. While this isn’t considered to be harmful to the animal, it can make the chip harder to find, harder to scan, and therefore less effective when it comes to bringing a lost dog home safely.

What can I do if my ex stole my dog?

As mentioned above, if you believe someone stole your dog, you can consider

filing a police report stating that your dog has been stolen

. The police may take action or they may say they don’t get involved in “civil” disputes (which means you have to pursue your dispute in court).

Can you take an ex to court over a dog?

In general, although there are some exceptions,

you would not take legal action until or unless your ex physically takes the pet from you without your permission

. In this case, you would have to sue your ex for the pet under a property-recovery legal theory, such as replevin.

Can I sue my ex for my dog?


Yes, she can sue you for return of the dog or money damages

. If you return the dog to her, then you will have to sue her for return of the dog or for your expenses for caring for the dog. You may have a difficult time regaining possession if proof…

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.