New law on micro-chipping your dog

In the Republic of Ireland from 31st March 2016, it will be compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped.

As a dog owner, there are three things you need to know about the new legislation:

  • Your dog must be microchipped and registered on a government approved database by 31st March 2016.
  • You must have a certificate from a government approved database to prove that your dog is microchipped and registered on that database.
  • You must keep your contact details up to date. Any changes of ownership or of contact details, such as address and phone numbers, must be notified to that database.

If you are buying, selling or transferring ownership of a dog, you will also need to know the following:

  • From 1st September 2015 all puppies must be micro shipped and registered with a government approved database by the time they reach 12 weeks of age or before they are moved from their birth home.
  • It is illegal to buy or take ownership of a puppy that is not microchipped and registered on a government approved database and that does not have a certificate from the database to prove this.
  • You must inform a government approved database when you buy, sell, take ownership or transfer ownership of a dog.

If your dog is already microchipped, you still need to make sure your details are stored correctly on a government approved database and that you have a certificate to prove this.