Since 2016 it has been compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped, microchipping of cats, at this time, is still voluntary. When an animal is microchipped animal details and owner contact information should be recorded on a database, it is important that if any of these details change (owner, address, telephone number) that the information is updated with the relevant microchip company. It is a legal requirement that a dog's microchip details are kept up to date. Sadly, all too often, we have pets presented without an owner, who have a microchip which has either never been registered or for which details are incorrect, meaning we are unable to contact their owner/s. Although we will always endeavour to trace owners by other means this is not always successful. Microchipping is currently still the best form of pet identification we have available, which when used properly  can aid prompt reunification of lost pets with their families.