Does a microchip replace the need for a collar and tag?

No, it doesn't. Your dog legally needs both—a microchip and a collar with a tag showing your name and address when in public places. The microchip is the backup when the collar comes off, but the tag gets your dog home faster because anyone can read it without needing a scanner.

Can I track my dog's location with their microchip?

No, microchips don't work like that. A microchip just stores a unique ID number that sits there doing nothing until someone with a scanner retrieves it. If you want live location tracking, you'd need a separate GPS tracker that requires charging and a subscription.

What happens if I move house and don't update my dog's microchip details?

Your dog can still be scanned, but the details will lead to your old address and number, making it much harder to reunite you. Plus, you're legally required to keep the information current and can be fined for not doing so.

Dogs on the Hills

Microchips, Collars and Tags: What Your Dog Needs to Get Home

If you think your clever dog would never leg it after a squirrel until they actually do, here's the genuinely useful stuff about microchips, collar tags and GPS trackers that might actually get them back to your sofa—including the legal requirements most people get slightly wrong.

13 October 20269 min read