Hope for lost pet owners as microchipping rules for dogs and cats are tightened

Lost pets will be easier to reunite with their owners under new rules for pet microchipping.

Until now, returning a lost dog or cat could be complex as the details of owners were stored on multiple computer databases.

But changes mean police, vets and local authorities will be able to go to just one 'central portal' to check the ownership of a pet cat or dog. This will allow them to cross-check a microchip to link to its owners.

Pet owners will have greater protection from dognapping or theft - as a new rule will make it harder for stolen pets being registered to new owners.

Any attempt to register a dog or cat under a new owner will be flagged, and the current keeper will have 28 days to object.

Database operators will also have to provide a field indicating whether the pet has been reported as 'missing'.

This will trigger suspicion if someone attempts to register a pet that belongs to someone else.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas Miller said: 'Pets are treasured members of the family so it can be devastating for owners when they are lost or stolen.

'These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it quicker for vets, local authorities and police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard pets from theft and increase the likelihood of lost pets being returned home.'

Michael Webb, Battersea's Head of Policy & Public Affairs, said: 'Battersea is incredibly pleased with these reforms to the microchipping system, which will improve services for owners, enforcers and rescues alike. 

'We see dogs and cats arrive at our centres every day with out-of-date microchips, or sadly no microchip at all, making it near impossible for our staff to reunite people with their pets.

'These reforms, which we have been calling for some time, will not only help rescues like Battersea reunite more pets in less time, but also hopefully better protect dogs and cats from theft.'

The reforms come as a new deadline looms for cat owners of June 10, 2024 when all pet cats in England will have to be microchipped under a new law which could see their owners face a £500 fine if they do not get it done.