Compulsory Microchip Scanning on pets to be introduced alongside Compulsory Microchipping with a microchip proving ownership.

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

We do not plan to introduce compulsory scanning. This is because it is already best practice that stray pets are scanned for microchips when received by vets and rescue centres. The guidance provided by the British Veterinary Association advises veterinarians to always scan animals brought into their surgeries for the first time. Details of pets and those keeping them should be recorded on a microchip database so that pets can be re-united with their owners if those pets go missing. The new requirement from April 2016 for all dogs in England to be microchipped and for the details of the dog and its owner to be recorded on a database, will also require for such details to be kept up to date. The database should be informed when any pet is lost or stolen. If a stolen pet is identified through scanning the chip, then the database can advise the keeper on what steps may be taken.

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.