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Pet Microchipping in Stroud & Stonehouse
Microchipping gives your pet a permanent form of identification, helping them find their way home if they ever go missing. It's quick, safe and a legal requirement for dogs and cats in England, and we can also check or update your details during your appointment.
What is a pet microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Each chip contains a unique 15-digit identification number, which is registered on a national database alongside your contact details.
If your pet is found and taken to a vet, rescue centre or local authority, a handheld scanner can read the chip in seconds and trace them back to you. The chip itself contains no personal information and cannot track your pet’s location, it is simply a permanent link between your animal and your contact details on the database.
Unlike a collar or a tag, a microchip cannot fall off or be removed. It stays with your pet for life and requires no maintenance once it is in place. The only thing you need to keep up-to-date is your contact details on the database, which is especially important if you move house or change your phone number.
What happens during a microchipping appointment?
The procedure is straightforward, quick and does not require any sedation or anaesthetic. Here is what to expect:
• The chip is implanted. Using a small sterile needle, the chip is gently placed under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The whole process takes just a few seconds.
• Your pet barely notices. Most dogs and cats react no more than they would to a routine injection. There is no recovery time needed and your pet can go straight home afterwards.
• We register your details. Once the chip is in place, we register your pet’s unique identification number on a government-approved database, along with your name, address and contact number. We will also explain how to update your details in the future if anything changes.
• We confirm the chip is reading correctly. Before you leave, we scan the chip to make sure it is registering clearly and that the number matches your records. It is a simple check, but an important one.
The whole appointment takes no more than 10 minutes. Microchipping can also be done at the same time as a vaccination, neutering or routine health check, so it does not need to be a separate visit if that is more convenient.
Why have your pet microchipped at Bowbridge Vets?
We have been caring for the pets of this community (and their owners) since 1967. Microchipping is a small but genuinely important part of that. It’s a procedure that can make all the difference if your pet ever goes missing. That’s why we take it seriously.
• Done properly, first time. We check the chip is placed correctly and reading clearly before you leave. We also make sure your registration is completed accurately on the database. These steps matter, an unreadable chip or missing registration is as useless as no chip at all.
• Reassuring and unhurried advice. We will tell you which database your pet is registered with, how to update your details if you move and what to do if you ever need to transfer ownership. No jargon, no pressure.
• An independent practice you can trust. As an independent vet in Stroud and Stonehouse, we make decisions based on what is right for your animal. No targets, no shortcuts. Just straightforward care from a team who genuinely cares about the pets they see.
Why Choose Bowbridge Vets?
Bowbridge Vets has been caring for the pets of Stroud and Stonehouse since 1967. Our team of RCVS-registered vets and Registered Veterinary Nurses brings decades of combined clinical experience to every appointment, from routine preventative care to complex primary care cases.
Most of our team have been with us for many decades, which means your pet is seen by people who know them, and who they know.
As an independent practice, we are not part of a corporate group. Every clinical decision is made by the vet in front of you, based entirely on what is right for your pet.
Our clients trust us with their pets year after year. That trust, built over more than half a century in this community, is something we work hard to preserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microchipping hurt?
Not in any meaningful way. The needle used is similar to a vaccination syringe and the sensation is similar to the sharp scratch associated with that. Most pets barely react. There is no wound to heal and no recovery period. Some animals are a little wriggly during the procedure, but the whole thing is over in seconds. If you have a particularly anxious pet, let us know when you book and we can make sure we give the appointment plenty of time.
Is microchipping a legal requirement?
Yes. Microchipping is compulsory for all dogs and owned cats. Dogs must be chipped before they are eight weeks old, for cats, it's 20 weeks. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £500.
The only exemptions are feral cats and farm cats that live with little or no human interaction. If you are unsure whether your cat qualifies as 'owned' under the legislation, please speak to us and we can advise.
My dog already has a microchip, do I need to do anything?
If your dog is already chipped, the most important thing is to make sure your contact details are up to date on the database. Many reunions fail not because the chip is missing, but because the phone number or address on record is out of date. If you have moved house, changed your number, or are not sure which database your pet is registered with, bring them in and we can scan the chip and help you find out. Updating your details is usually straightforward and can often be done online once you know which database holds your registration.
My cat is an indoor cat, does she still need to be microchipped?
Yes, in England the law applies to all owned cats over 20 weeks old, regardless of whether they go outside. It is easy to assume an indoor cat is safe from getting lost, but windows left ajar, open doors and unexpected visitors mean even house cats find their way out from time to time. A microchip means that if the worst happens and your cat ends up at a rescue centre or vet practice, they can be traced back to you quickly. The procedure is just as it is for any other cat and takes just a few seconds.
Can I have my pet microchipped at the same time as another appointment?
Absolutely. Microchipping can be done alongside a vaccination, a routine health check, or a nurse clinic appointment. Many people have their puppy or kitten chipped at the same time as their second vaccines, which keeps the number of visits down. If you would like to combine appointments, just mention it when you book and we will make sure we leave time for both.
With which database will my pet be registered?
We register pets with PETtrac a government-approved microchip database. At your appointment, we will confirm the name of the database and explain how to log in and manage your details in the future. We recommend keeping a note of your pet's chip number somewhere safe, your vet records and any registration paperwork are good places to start.
What should I do if I rehome my pet?
If you rehome a pet, it is important to transfer the microchip registration into the new owner's name and details. Most databases have a transfer of ownership process online, though some charge a small admin fee. Until that transfer is completed, the chip is still registered in your name, which could cause problems if the animal needs to be traced. We are happy to advise on how to handle this if you are unsure.
Do I need to microchip my pet before EU travel?
Yes. Microchipping is a legal requirement for any dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to the EU. The chip must be implanted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination, if it goes in after the jab, the vaccination record is invalidated and your pet will need to be vaccinated again. If you are planning to travel abroad with your pet, please book a travel consultation with us well in advance and we will check everything is in order.
You can find full details on our Pet Travel page.