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Microchipping your pet

The simple way to get your pet back safe

Helping to find your furry friend

Getting your pet microchipped is a safe and simple procedure that can help get your four-legged friend back if they’re ever lost or stolen.

Pet insurance doesn’t cover the cost of microchipping – but it’s still a worthwhile precaution for any pet parent. And if your pet does go missing, we can always help out in other ways.

What is microchipping?

A microchip is a tiny implant, around the size of a grain of rice, which is injected under your pet’s skin to help identify them if they’re ever lost or stolen.

Each chip has a unique code, which links through to a file on a database – this file contains your contact details and important information about your pet.

If your lost pet is found and handed in to a vet or rescue centre, they can scan the microchip to find your details.

The rules around microchipping

All dogs over eight weeks old in the UK are required by law to be microchipped. If you don’t microchip your dog by the time it’s eight weeks old, you could face a fine of up to £500.

As well as getting your dog microchipped, it’s also a legal requirement to register the microchip number and your details on a government-approved database.

So what about other pets? Do cats or rabbits need to be microchipped? It’s not a legal requirement for cats, rabbits or any other pet to be microchipped – but it’s still a worthwhile precaution to take.

Where can you get your pet microchipped?

A number of pet health professionals and organisations can microchip your pet, including:

  • Your local vet
  • Animal wardens
  • Local councils
  • Pet shops
  • Welfare centres and charities

How much does microchipping cost?

The cost of getting your pet microchipped can vary – but you’ll typically pay between £10 and £30.

Some animal charities and organisations will even microchip your pet for free, including:

  • Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
  • Blue Cross
  • Dogs Trust

How is a microchip fitted?

Getting a microchip fitted should be quick and pain-free for your pet. The chip is placed underneath your pet’s skin, usually on the back of its neck just behind their shoulder blade.

Once the microchip is fitted, it shouldn’t ever move or bother your pet at all.

What details are included on a microchip?

Each microchip links through to a government-approved database, which contains important and useful information about you and your pet. This could include:

  • Your name
  • Home address
  • Telephone number
  • Emergency contact number
  • Your vet's contact details
  • Information about your pet’s health, for example, allergies, dietary requirements and behavioural traits

It’s you that’s responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date. So if you ever make any changes, for example moving home or changing your telephone number, it’s important to update your details.

Your pet insurance and microchipping

Although our pet insurance doesn’t cover the cost of microchipping, we can still help protect your pet.

It’s important for insurance purposes that your pet is microchipped, as there are certain circumstances where we won’t pay out if it’s not.

Finding your lost or stolen pet

If your pet has gone missing, we’ll reimburse you for any advertising expenses or rewards you’ve paid for to try and find them. The amount we’ll pay depends on your policy.

If you’ve lost your cat or dog and you’re unable to find them at all, we’ll reimburse the price you paid for them – up to the limit set out in your certificate of insurance. This cover isn’t included with rabbit insurance.

If your dog goes missing and isn’t microchipped in accordance with the legal requirement, we won’t pay out on your pet insurance.

Quarantine and travel document costs

If you’re on holiday and your cat or dog’s microchip has failed, meaning they can’t return to the UK or must be quarantined on return to the UK, we’re here to help.

We’ll help cover the costs up to the policy limits of:

  • Keeping your pet in quarantine
  • Getting duplicate travel documents

We will not cover the above costs with rabbit insurance or if your cat or dog’s microchip:

  • Doesn’t meet ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 standards
  • Wasn’t checked or functioning properly before you departed on your trip

 

Helpful pet guides

Our handy guides can help keep your pet safe and help find them if they ever go missing.

Pet health and wellbeing

Find out how to keep your pet healthy and happy

Pet gone missing?

What should you do if your pet wanders off?

Pet friendly home

Find out how to pet-proof your home with this go-to guide

Ready to protect your pet?

If you’d like to get a quote for your pet insurance, you can get started right away. If you’re ready, we’re ready.

 

Need to talk to us?

Call 0344 543 1032

Other contact details

We’re here Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles and may be monitored and recorded.

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Important information

Sainsbury's Bank plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's Bank plc.

Sainsbury's Bank plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s Bank plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.