As a vet, I strongly encourage all animal owners to microchip their pets. It is not only necessary for crossing borders when travelling, but once every few weeks, somebody comes to our clinic with a found pet. Usually, we are able to reunite pets with their owners. So does your pet’s microchip indicate ownership? Unfortunately, legally, having your name and details on your pet’s microchip record does not make you automatically the owner.
Microchip
A microchip is a rice grain size transponder that contains an identification number. Once your veterinary doctor places the chip under the skin, he or she assigns the chip number to your dog, writing down the address, owner’s name and contact details. If a pet is found, the chip helps veterinarians to track owners and bring the pet home.
Legal status
There is a clear answer to the question if pet’s microchip indicate ownership. Unfortunately having your name and details on your pet’s microchip record, does not make you automatically the owner. Yes, it was a big disappointment to me too. If you let your cat stroll outside, it is likely she jumps over the fence to neighbour’s garden, have a meal there or even sleepover, when she feels like. It is easier to contain your dog in the garden, however, pet theft or an accident (open gates, running away in heat) and your dog can also go missing.
In my knowledge, there is no country in the world where a vet is obliged to scan a pet for a microchip to proof the ownership. Even if the client who brought a pet in the clinic is not the owner, the veterinarian needs the client’s consent to share information about the pet with the registered owner. There have been many cases when a pet brought in a clinic was registered as missing or stolen and veterinary staff informed the registered owner. Unfortunately, by doing so veterinary doctor violates the confidentiality of the client’s personal information and acts against the law.
How to prove your ownership?
There was a case in the UK, where a woman announced her 2.5-year-old cat missing. 4 years later found her again through a vet. Obviously, the people, who had the cat for the last 4 years did not want to give the cat back. They felt she was part of their family after spending 4 years together. The initial owner had to go to the civil court to prove her ownership. The court ruled for cat’s return to the original owner. This decision was met because the previous owner conducted a search for the missing animal. Also, there was no proof that the animal was previously neglected. However, it is not only the details on the microchip that matter. In case of dispute – veterinary bills, registration and licence at the municipality, pedigree registration, personal photos could back up your ownership. Other things that are considered is how much time, money resources you can offer the pet. Any criminal, abuse offence, drug history would make your chances of custody lower.
How can we improve it?
In the UK alone an estimated 1,500 dogs are stolen each year and many are sold on to new owners. If the previous owner has not intentionally abandoned the pet or renounce his/her ownership. I believe, that re-registration of pets who are reported as missing or stolen should be illegal. If you find a pet or even bought it, make sure it does not belong to another person. You would be thankful if your pooch finds the way back home too.
I have never personally got into a situation, where people would not return a found animal to the legitimate owner. I still believe that microchipping is a great tool to reunite lost pets with their owners. But we should raise awareness and when registering new clients recheck pets for chips and the information provided.
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Hello!
After reading your post I was hoping you could help me find an answer to rather difficult and complex situation.
A friend of mine asked me for as a favour to look after his dog whilst his bitch wa son the heat . As I’m a huge animal lover and I knew Bono for a while, I was more than happy to do so. After around 3 weeks my friend asked if I wish to keep bono permanently as himself, he’s getting a new dog. I was thrilled as naturally I got used to bono and spending time with him . I was over the moon , spoiling my little boy as much as possible. I contacted my landlord and asked for permission, which thankfully was granted after paying £200 non refundable pet deposit. I’m 30 yrs old, I don’t have children, I work full time, however my partner and I work alternating shifts so bono rarely stay home alone for longer than 6hrs. Sometimes, I would pop in home on my lunch break just to make sure he’s ok and take him for a walk. On days off we take him beach, parks etc. To summarise my life goes around bono . Everything would be great if it wasn’t for my friends ex girlfriend who contacted me stating that bono is actually hers and that he’s been only looked after temporarily until she finds accommodation that allows pets. I was shocked and devastated. But after rather cold exchange of few sentences I gave up and told her to come nd get bono since she’s the owner . She laughed at me saying she won’t and if I cannot keep him I should pay for the hotel/care . Naturally I got mad thinking how dare she thinking I will be look after ‘her’ dog, buy specially designed hypoallergenic feed, get involved emotionally so just when she’s ready she can come and pick him up . I even bought pet insurance… not sure how to deal with this situation. Was hoping for some advice . Many thanks !
Thank you, Ania, for your comment. I hope things have cleared themselves. Otherwise, I would contact her ex-boyfriend and would ask for more information. If he disagrees with the girl’s story and says she actually abandoned the dog before, I would ask for a signed statement from his part, telling his side of the story. At the same time collect all the checks that you spend on the dog, so you can prove that you were taking care of him.
From a human point of view. If she started missing her dog only after a few months and found out that Bono lives at your place, I think it is fair to think, that doesn’t really need the dog. In addition, to that dropping comments that she will pick him up and later decide not to, doesn’t sound like responsible “ownership”. Save all the emails and messages, if you can communicate with her in a written form so you can easily track who said what, etc.
It would be cruel, if after a year she decides to take Bono, not only for you but for the dog as well. Dogs need stable conditions and changing of owners is a big stressing factor.
Best of luck. Share your story with us!
thank you.
I lost my baby Chloe in July ‘and I found her .When I went to get her the lady doesn’t want to give her to me
Wow, that is horrible. Have you managed to solve it somehow? It would be interesting to hear your storyĄ
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Given a dog which was neglected took her to pets at home vets to check for chip. There is no chip now vets have given her to dog warden who has handed her in for rehoming
If I had not questioned man why his dog was so thin & neglected she would of been dead with in day
So my question does she belong to me ??? As she was given me freely
If there is no microchip and you would like to take her to you home, I don’t see the reason, why they would do rehoming, instead of allowing you to keep her. What is the reason for that? Have you stated clearly that you wish to keep her and have the means to provide for the dog?
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My ex has been looking after my 1 year old dog since Wednesday as my mum has been in hospital I’m due to go home today (saturday) but he is refusing to hand her back to me. She is microchipped and registered to my home address does he have any rights to do what he is foing
No, he doesn’t. If there is no proof of neglect or official hand over, such a short time that he is taking care of the dog is not granting him the right.
i was wondering my older sister is 18 and wants to move and take her dog with her but her micro chip is under moms name but the dog (lola) is my older sisters emotional support dog she also helps my sister with her epylepsy she even has papers for is that my older sister registered her to be one and she also pays for 90% of her vet bills i was wondering if she has the right to take lola.
My daughter wanted my dog and got her chipped in her name what can I do about it she stop my dog
I have a situation with the former owner who gave her cat to my granddaughter and now she wants the cat back saying we stole her from her. at the time o my granddaughter was living with me and she brought the cats to my house and for two years she took care of the cat until she moved out several months ago and she left the cats and now she tried to take them from my home