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Chip Checker

Check a chip

Free UK microchip lookup

Lost a pet? Found one? Whether you're trying to reunite a missing pet with their owner or simply checking a microchip, our free chip checker searches across UK DEFRA-compliant databases in seconds. No account needed.

Microchip number
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Happy brown and white dog with a collar and tag sitting on a leaf-strewn path in a park.
Gray dog with a black harness and tag standing on a ledge near a sandy beach with blurred people.

What is a microchip check?

A microchip check (sometimes called a chip lookup, chip check, or microchip checker) is a search of the UK's pet microchip databases to find out whether a chip number is registered, who it's registered to, and which database holds the record.

Every dog across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is legally required to be microchipped. Cats have been required to be microchipped since June 2024. A chip check confirms that registration has been completed correctly.

Here's the bit most owners miss: a chip only does its job if the details behind it are up to date, and around 70% aren't. A quick check tells you where you stand.

Golden retriever and black-and-white dog running and playing on grassy field with trees in background.

Which databases does Pet Database search?

Pet Database is a DEFRA-compliant microchip registry and our chip checker searches across multiple UK databases simultaneously. This means you get a complete picture from a single search: no need to check each database one by one.

All DEFRA-compliant databases are required to participate in federated cross-database search, which means a chip registered on any compliant UK registry can be found through our tool.

Your chip, your choice: we accept any chip brand, with no forced subscriptions and no hidden fees. And if you want belt and braces, add a Smart Pet Tag so whoever finds your pet can reach you the moment they look, without waiting for a vet scan.

How to check a chip

1. Enter the 15-digit microchip number in the search box

2. Click "Check chip"

3. View the registration status and database details in your results

Check chip
63% of stray dogs’ records are out of date.*
* Battersea Microchipping Report 2021.

Are your details up to date?

It is a legal requirement for you to ensure your microchip details are kept up to date, with fines of £500.

Not sure where to start?

Let our database switching service handle the admin for you.

Switch now

FAQ

What is "check a chip" and how does it work?

"Check a chip" lets you search for a pet's microchip number across the UK's microchip databases. Simply enter the 15-digit number (found on a vet scan printout or your pet's microchip certificate) and we'll show you whether they're registered and which database holds the record, all in a matter of seconds.

Which microchip databases does Pet Database search?

Our tool searches across DEFRA-compliant UK databases simultaneously. Because all DEFRA-registered databases participate in federated search, a single lookup checks multiple registries at once.

Is the chip checker free to use?

Yes, completely free. No account or registration is required.

What information will I see when I look up a chip?

You'll see whether the chip is registered and which database holds the record. Full contact details for the registered owner are not publicly displayed: this protects owner privacy.

The chip came back as "not found": what does that mean?

It usually means the chip hasn't been registered on a DEFRA-compliant database, or was registered under a different number. You can add your pet's chip to our database for free using the link below.

Can I check a dog chip and a cat chip using the same tool?

Yes. The 15-digit chip format is the same for dogs, cats, and most microchipped animals in the UK.

How do I update the details registered to a microchip?

If you've moved house, changed your phone number or email address, or taken on a pet from a previous owner, you'll need to update or transfer the microchip registration. Our registration tool makes it quick and easy.

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