Microchipping Information

Under Irish law, all dogs must be microchipped and registered with an approved database before they are sold or given to a new owner. This requirement is part of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015.

Key legal points:

• All dogs must be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks old or before they leave the breeder's premises, whichever comes first.
• The microchip must be implanted by a veterinarian or a trained and authorized implanter.
• The dog's details must be registered on an approved database with the current owner's information.
• When ownership changes, the microchip details must be updated with the new owner's information.
• Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines of up to €5,000.

• Permanent Identification

  Unlike collars and tags which can fall off or be removed, microchips provide permanent identification that lasts for the lifetime of your dog.

• Reuniting Lost Pets

  If your dog gets lost, animal shelters and veterinary clinics can scan for a microchip and quickly contact you using the registered information.

• Proof of Ownership

  Microchipping provides legal proof of ownership, which can be crucial in disputes or if your dog is stolen.

• Reducing Strays

  Microchipping helps reduce the number of stray dogs and the burden on animal shelters by making it easier to return lost dogs to their owners.

• Peace of Mind

  Knowing your dog can be identified if lost or stolen provides peace of mind for responsible pet owners.

A microchip certificate is an official document that contains important information about your dog's microchip. When buying a dog, always ask to see this certificate.

A valid microchip certificate should include:

• The 15-digit microchip number
• The dog's details (breed, sex, date of birth, color)
• The current owner's name and contact information
• The date of implantation
• The name of the database where the microchip is registered

Example Microchip Certificate

Example of a standard microchip certificate. Your certificate may look different depending on the database provider.

Transferring Microchip Registration

When you purchase a dog, you must transfer the microchip registration to your name. This typically involves:

1. Obtaining the microchip certificate from the previous owner
2. Completing a transfer of ownership form (provided by the database company)
3. Providing proof of your identity and address
4. Paying a small transfer fee (varies by database)

In Ireland, microchips must be registered with an approved database. The following are the main approved databases:

• Animark

  Website: www.animark.ie

  Phone: 076 106 6006

• Fido

  Website: www.fido.ie

  Phone: 01 490 0694

• Irish Kennel Club

  Website: www.ikc.ie

  Phone: 01 453 3300

• Microdog ID

  Website: www.microdogid.ie

  Phone: 053 915 7733