Pets Microchip vs Pet Database: does your registration meet UK requirements?
The law requires dogs in England and Wales, and cats in England, to be registered on a government-approved microchip database. Pets Microchip is an independent recovery service rather than an approved database, so registering there doesn’t meet that requirement on its own. Pet Database is on the GOV.UK list, with one membership for all your pets and updates included for life.
Pets Microchip vs Pet Database at a glance
Pet Database is a DEFRA-approved microchip registration database. Our Standard membership also gives you a clear price: £20 once for all your pets, with contact detail updates and missing-pet support included. Pets Microchip is an independent recovery service that doesn't replace the registration required by law. If your pet is only registered with Pets Microchip, you can register the same chip with us to meet the legal registration requirement. No new microchip is needed.
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 Pets Microchip pricing works
Pets Microchip charges a one-off fee to add your pet’s microchip number and contact details to its independent recovery register.
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- Adds your pet’s microchip number and contact details to its register
- Doesn't register your pet on a DEFRA-approved database
- Anyone can search a microchip number on its website
- "Only the full microchip number can access your contact information"
- Changes of keeper are made through an online form
- The new keeper fills in the form; the previous keeper’s details are optional
- Paying for this service does not register your pet on a DEFRA-approved microchip database
- Your pet still needs a separate registration with an approved database to meet the legal registration requirement
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 Pets Microchip and Pet Database
Choosing a microchip registration service means trusting it with your pet’s record and your contact details. Customer reviews can help you understand the support you’ll receive, while independent veterinary coverage can highlight concerns to consider before registering.
How to register your pet's chip with Pet Database
Already registered with Pets Microchip? 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.
Pets Microchip vs Pet Database: your questions answered
Pets Microchip is an independent 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 meet the legal database registration requirement. If your pet is only registered there, they also need a record on an approved database, such as Pet Database.
Enter your pet's 15-digit microchip number into our chip checker to see which approved database holds their record. You'll usually find the number on their microchip certificate, adoption paperwork or vet records. If no record appears, double-check the number. Our team can help you with the next step.
No. Your pet keeps their existing microchip and its number. You register that number with Pet Database and add your contact details, so there's no need for another microchip or a fitting appointment.
An article in Vet Times by Phil McKinnon, independent chair of the Association of Microchip Database Operators (May 2025), said petsmicrochip.com was also operating as petchipglobal.com. Our Petchip Global comparison covers that service's registration options and fees.
Pets Microchip charges a one-off fee for its independent recovery register. That payment covers its own service; it doesn't include registration on an approved UK microchip database.
No. Joining Pet Database creates a separate registration with us. It doesn't cancel a Pets Microchip service or trigger a refund of an earlier payment.
No. Standard membership costs £20 once, with lifetime registration and contact detail updates for all your pets, including any you add later. The £30 Premium Bundle adds a Smart Pet Tag and partner perks. Neither membership has a monthly or annual renewal fee.