What's the problem?
As a trade body representing compliant UK microchip databases, AMDO is dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your pets. Our members have recently seen a rise in enquiries about non-compliant pet microchip databases operating in the UK. These rogue databases can put your pet at risk.
Here’s why:
Unlike AMDO member databases, these non-compliant sites:
- Fail to meet UK legal standards: They don’t offer crucial services like a 24/7 lost pet helpline or integration with other official databases.
- May allow duplicate registrations: This can cause confusion and hinder your pet’s swift return if they go missing.
- Often appear at the top of online searches: Their misleading advertising tactics can trick pet owners into registering with them. They pay large fees to Google, Bing and other search engines to appear at the top.
- May try to deceive you: Some of the non-compliant database websites will look genuine and even convince visitors to make a recurring yearly payment – remember that a genuine database will not have a registration that expires.
As a pet keeper what should I do?
If you’re worried about your pet’s microchip registration we recommend clicking the button below and searching your pet’s microchip. This will direct you to the microchip database which holds information on your pet’s microchip. They can assist you from there.
If you have paid these non-compliant databases we recommend requesting your money back from them via their website and also reporting them to Action Fraud.
Please note AMDO are not able to respond to enquiries on specific microchip numbers or help with refunds.
How did the non-compliant microchip database get my details?
Some pet owners may have accidentally registered with a non-compliant website (or details provided to the site by a breeder for example) but forgotten as it may have been some time ago. In a time when security breaches can happen, it can be easy to just assume that a legitimate database has passed/leaked the information to the non-compliant sites, but this will not be the case; DEFRA are aware of the current situation and are working to combat these rogue websites.
Protect yourself and your pet:
Always ensure your pet’s microchip is registered with a Defra-compliant database. You can find a list of approved databases HERE.
AMDO recommends you choose a member database. AMDO members adhere to stricter standards than required by law.
Find a list of AMDO members by clicking the button below.