It is a legal requirement for all dogs in Ireland to be microchipped, with owners of un-chipped or unregistered dogs facing fines of up to €5,000. Apart from the legal consequences, microchipping your pet allows you to be reunited with them if they are ever lost or stolen. Breeders should have puppies microchipped before selling them, but if they aren’t, or if the puppy has been bred at home it will be necessary to arrange an appointment. At Highfield Veterinary Clinics, our long history of great animal care means we are certified microchip providers and can give you all the information you need about the process as well as performing the microchipping itself.
How Microchipping Works
The microchip that’s used for pets is a tiny device that’s about the size of a grain of rice. The chip contains a unique 15 digit number which is read by a special scanner using radiowaves. This number corresponds with a central database where you will register your details (name, address, contact number). If the dog is found, then the microchip can be read and matched with your details so you can be contacted and reunited with your pet.
The microchip itself doesn’t have any power source or moving parts and once it enters under the skin it is encased by protein, so it is completely harmless to the animal. The natural healing process holds it in place for the rest of its life and it doesn’t need to be changed. It is injected under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, by a special implanting device and sterile needle. The process is relatively painless and only causes about as much discomfort as a normal vaccine shot.
Though it is only compulsory so far for dogs, it is also recommended that cats are microchipped as they have a high propensity to roam and may not be able to find their way back home.
To arrange for your pet to be microchipped please contact one of our veterinary clinics. We’re also happy to help with all you need to know about the microchipping process, including how to register your details on the central database.
