Mandatory Microchip Implant for Dogs

According to the Pet Parents website, microchipping of dogs and other pets is not mandatory. In the United Kingdom, where microchipping of dogs is mandatory, 51 percent of lost dogs are returned with owners, while in the United States, it is only 14 percent.

  1. Microchip

    • The Vet Info website explains that a microchip, around the size of a grain of rice, is inserted under the skin of a dog between the shoulder blades. Microchips can hold a variety of information, including a unique identification number for the animal and the owner's contact information.

    Travel

    • The Pet Travel website reports that microchips are mandatory for animals crossing international borders into a number of countries. Dogs entering European Union countries require a microchip carrying information that immigration officers can compare with veterinary records presented to immigration officers.

    U.S. Law

    • The Animal Medical Center of Reno reports microchips are required for American dogs reentering the U.S. after traveling abroad. If a microchip is not present, the dog will be held in quarantine.