UK Parliament home

Open Amend microchip rules to prevent stolen pets being re-registered without consent

Created by Debbie Matthews
Closes on

We call on Defra to amend The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023. Databases must not transfer keeper registration for a lost or stolen pet if the original keeper is contactable and has not given consent. This could stop thieves or finders re-registering pets in their name.

Microchipping is meant to reunite lost and stolen pets. Databases claim the current regulations force them to record the new “keeper” (where the animal lives) and transfer details even when the original owner is known. We believe that re-registration of reported lost or stolen pets must not override the rights of the original keeper. We feel that this loophole undermines the Pet Abduction Act 2024 and defeats the purpose of microchipping. Defra must close it to protect owners, deter theft and improve trust in the system.

Sign this petition

142 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 5 April 2027.