Microchipping — what, how and why?
Icelandic animal-welfare regulation requires microchipping of dogs, cats and rabbits. This article explains what a microchip is, how it is fitted and why it matters.
Icelandic regulation on animal welfare requires that all dogs, cats and rabbits are microchipped and registered in a central database. The owner is responsible for keeping the registration details accurate and for the cost of chipping.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small electronic tag, about the size of a grain of rice, that is placed under the skin on the neck or between the shoulder blades. It carries a unique 15-digit code following the international ISO standard (ISO 11784/11785) and works like an ID number for the animal.
How is it done?
Microchipping is performed by a veterinarian. The chip is preloaded in a syringe and inserted with a needle. The procedure is quick and most animals tolerate it well.
Why does it matter?
Microchipping is a safety measure. It regularly helps return lost or injured animals to their owners. In Iceland, dogs and cats are registered in the dyraaudkenni.is database, which stores basic information about the animal and its owner.
Which animals must be chipped?
The requirement applies to all dogs, cats and rabbits, generally before 12 weeks of age. Horses have long been required to be chipped and registered. Owners are responsible for keeping the registered information up to date.
Articles are written by the clinic’s veterinarians.