Your dog’s microchip is essential if you want to identify them. It’s like their ID card and goes with them everywhere, since it sits just under the skin. It holds information about their name, breed, age, weight and all the relevant details about both the dog and its owners. That’s why using this small electronic device is required by law from three months of age.
Fitting the microchip is completely painless for your dog and needs no sedation. All your pet’s information is stored via an alphanumeric code, which can be read to retrieve the details whenever needed.
Where can I register my pet?
Once your dog has its microchip fitted, you’ll need to register it in a database. The main ones are:
- REIAC: the Spanish network that holds all microchipped companion animals at national level.
- EuroPetNet: a European network that includes all microchipped companion animals.
- PETMAXX: a worldwide network where you can search for microchipped companion animals across Europe, Asia, America and Oceania — a genuinely useful platform for travellers.
How much does a microchip cost?
The cost of a microchip ranges between €15 and €40 — always depending on the vet you visit and where you live — a tiny price compared with all the advantages if your dog gets lost or is stolen, since the chip can’t fall out or be removed.
What if I find a lost dog?
If you find a dog with no owner, it’s very important to take it to a veterinary clinic, the local police, the Guardia Civil or the town hall so they can check the microchip information and notify the owners.
What now?
Once your pet has its microchip fitted, the only step left for complete peace of mind is to take out veterinary insurance for your dog — a flexible policy with good cover in case your dog falls ill, has an accident or is involved in an incident with a third party.
At Petplan, Europe’s number one dog insurer, we can help. What are you waiting for? It only takes a few seconds!
