Two in three owners say losing pet is their biggest fear, with owners paying out an average £1,522 to bring missing pets home
Yet, a quarter (23%) are delaying important admin like updating their pet’s microchip details or sorting insurance because the process feels too time consuming. As 84% say they would join a community rally to search for a lost pet, Pet Database has launched the Microchip Shop in Brighton to reunite missing animals with their owners
18th June 2026, London: Two in three pet owners (67%) admit losing their pet is their biggest fear, with 88% agreeing it would feel like losing a family member.
The study of 2,000 UK pet owners, commissioned by Pet Database, found that while owners would pay out an average £1,522 to bring a lost pet home, a quarter (23%) are delaying important admin like updating microchip details or sorting insurance because the process feels too complicated.
When a pet disappears, time is of the essence, yet 17% of Brits are unsure on the crucial first steps to take. Three quarters (75%) would check the immediate local area, 74% would ask neighbours to check their gardens and over half (51%) would share photos and details online.
A door or gate being left open was believed to be the main situation in which animals go missing (53%), followed by chasing wildlife (43%) and fireworks, thunder or loud noises (43%).
A further eight in ten (84%) of owners say they would be likely to join a community effort to search for missing pets. To combat confusion and help reunite pets with their owners, Pet Database has joined forces with TV personality and animal lover Chris Hughes to encourage Brits to support the search for missing pets.
Rallying a community-wide search, Pet Database is launching the “Microchip Shop” in Brighton, created to encourage locals to join the search for missing pets in the area and raise vital awareness of the importance of microchipping
For one day only, the traditional British staple is being served wrapped in real newsprint featuring local lost pet listings and scannable QR codes. The activation turns ordinary chip shop queues into a localised search network, allowing passersby to scan, share, and report sightings instantly in a push to help bring lost pets home.
It comes as the research highlights how everyday life is getting in the way of pet safety, as a quarter (23%) of owners are delaying important admin like updating their pets microchip details and sorting insurance because they think the process is too time consuming or complicated.
While microchipping your pets is required by law in the UK, many Brits are unaware of the importance of registering and keeping their details up-to-date – with only 5% of those who lost a pet marking their microchip as missing.
In fact, since last updating their details, one in ten (11%) owners admit they have moved house or changed their contact numbers (12%). Key culprits for failing to update these details include forgetfulness (22%), assuming details update automatically (20%), and confusion over which database to use (10%).
TV personality and self-proclaimed animal lover Chris Hughes said: “My dogs are my absolute world so I completely relate to the fear of losing a pet. The Microchip Shop is a brilliant reminder that a community looking out for each other can bring lost animals home. But the real wake-up call is that a microchip is entirely useless if your phone number is outdated. If you’ve moved house or changed numbers, you are cutting your pet’s lifeline. Every pet owner should take 60 seconds to check their chip online. It’s the single best thing you can do to protect your furry friend.”
The “Microchip Shop” activation allows visiting pet owners to check and update their details on the Pet Database platform entirely free of charge, helping ensure they can be swiftly reunited with their furry friends if the worst were to happen.
Indy Sangha, founder of pet registry Pet Database said: “When a pet goes missing, panic sets in and owners often unintentionally make the situation worse. For dog owners, the biggest mistake is leaving the spot where the pet went missing. You should stay close by, as moving around can confuse the dog’s sense of direction and make it harder for them to find their way back.
Cat owners should focus on checking nearby hiding spots, notifying neighbours and leaving familiar scents like bedding or food outside, instead of assuming their pet has wandered far.”
To help give UK pet owners ultimate peace of mind from home, Pet Database is giving away a free Smart Tag with a lifetime subscription worth £40, making it easier than ever to check, register, or update a pet’s microchip details. Pet owners can claim their free smart tag by registering here and applying the code ‘MICROCHIPSHOP’ at checkout.
TOP 10 THINGS PEOPLE DO WHEN THEIR PET GOES MISSING
1. Search the immediate local area thoroughly
2. Ask neighbours to check gardens, sheds and garages
3. Mark the pet as missing with its microchip database
4. Share recent photos and details online
5. Contact local vets
6. Contact animal charities/rescue organisations
7. Put familiar bedding or scents outside the home
8. Search areas several miles away immediately
9. Assume the pet will return on its own
10. Wait 24 hours before taking any action
For all media enquiries, please contact petdatabase@hopeandglorypr.com
About Pet Database:
Pet Database is a leading DEFRA-compliant, government-approved pet microchip registry in the UK. On a mission to navigate pet owners through the moments that matter most, Pet Database provides a safe, secure, and user-friendly platform to register and update pets’ microchip details for life. With 24/7 recovery support, it ensures that if a pet goes missing, families have the best possible chance of a swift and happy reunion. For more information, visit www.petdatabase.com.