Petchip Global vs Pet Database: is your pet’s microchip registration approved?
By law, dogs in England and Wales, and cats in England, must be registered on a government-approved microchip database. Petchip Global isn’t one of them. It offers an independent recovery service, but registering with it doesn’t meet that legal requirement on its own. Pet Database is government-approved, with one membership covering all your pets, lifetime updates and enhanced missing pet support.
Petchip Global vs Pet Database at a glance
Pet Database is listed on GOV.UK as meeting government standards for microchip registration. Petchip Global is a separate pet recovery service. Paying for its service doesn't register your pet on an approved database, so you'll still need an approved registration to meet the legal requirement.
With Pet Database, one membership fee covers all your pets, lifetime contact detail updates and missing-pet support. If you've already joined Petchip Global, check whether your pet also has an approved record. If they don't, you can register their existing chip with us.
Register with a government-approved database
Pet Database meets the legal requirement and adds enhanced missing pet support, with lifetime updates for all your pets.
How Petchip Global pricing works
Petchip Global (sometimes written as Pet Chip Global) links your pet’s microchip number to your contact details on its independent recovery register. Its website provides a public microchip lookup, lost-pet listings and an online form for changes of keeper. Contact detail updates are free.
Its registration page lists two options. Both cover Petchip Global’s recovery service. Paying for either does not register your pet on a DEFRA-approved microchip database. Your pet still needs a separate registration with an approved database, such as Pet Database, to meet the legal registration requirement.
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- Registration on Petchip Global’s independent recovery register
- Doesn't register your pet on a DEFRA-approved database
- Registration on Petchip Global’s independent recovery register
- Doesn't register your pet on a DEFRA-approved database
- Petchip Global advertises on its homepage that it will refund you if it cannot help reunite you with your lost pet within 30 days
- It’s a promise of your money back, not a promise that your pet will be found. Its terms don’t set out how this works.
- Changes of keeper are made through an online form
- Puts an existing registration in the new keeper’s name
Why choose Pet Database?
Choose a government-approved database that makes it easy to keep your pet's details current. Moving house or changing your phone number? With Pet Database, those updates are included for life at no extra cost. Standard membership costs £20. Or choose the £30 Premium Bundle to add a Smart Pet Tag and perks from partner brands.
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Customer and independent reviews of Petchip Global and Pet Database
Knowing who you’re trusting with your pet’s details matters. In May 2025, Phil McKinnon, independent chair of the Association of Microchip Database Operators (AMDO), raised registration and privacy concerns in Vet Times about Petchip Global, which he reported was also operating as Pets Microchip. Separately, Which? investigated misleading renewal emails sent under the name PetChip. The article highlights DEFRA’s advice to use one compliant database, as duplicate records can make it harder to reunite a lost pet with their keeper.
How to register your pet's chip with Pet Database
Already registered with Petchip Global? First, check whether your pet also has a record on a government-approved database. If they do, you can move that record to Pet Database. If they don't, you can register their existing chip with Pet Database. There's no need for another microchip or a fitting appointment.
Petchip Global vs Pet Database: your questions answered
Petchip Global is a voluntary recovery service. There's no law against running one, but it isn't DEFRA-approved: it isn't on the GOV.UK list of databases that meet government standards. Paying for its service doesn't fulfil the legal registration requirement. If your pet is only registered there, they also need a record on a listed database, such as Pet Database.
Enter their microchip number into our free chip checker. It searches across government-compliant UK databases and shows which database holds the record. You don't need an account. If no record appears, check the number against your pet's paperwork or ask your vet to scan the chip.
Petchip Global lists £21 for its UK registration option and £27 for its international option. These fees cover its own recovery register. They don't include registration on a government-approved UK database.
No. You can register their existing microchip number with us, so there's no need for another chip or a fitting appointment. Have the number and your current contact details ready when you register.
Petchip Global says it will refund your fee if it can’t help reunite you with your lost pet within 30 days. It’s a promise of your money back, not a promise that your pet will be found. Its terms page doesn’t mention the guarantee or how it works.
In May 2025, Phil McKinnon, independent chair of the Association of Microchip Database Operators (AMDO), wrote in Vet Times that petsmicrochip.com was also operating as petchipglobal.com. You can read more about that service in our Pets Microchip comparison.
No. Standard membership costs £20 once and covers every pet you own now or add later, with lifetime contact detail updates and enhanced missing pet support services included. There are no monthly or annual membership fees. The £30 Premium Bundle also includes a Smart Pet Tag and partner perks.