Information on Microchipping Dogs and Cats
From 21.10.2005 all dogs and cats have to wear a Microchip, the Police will check this. Fines for owners of a dog without a Microchip: up to 2000 euros to be paid directly to the townhall.
Microchipping is recognized as the most effective and secure way of permanently identifying a pet. The technology to microchip has been around since 1989 and since then approximately 1.5 million dogs and cats have been microchipped.
What is microchipping?
The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is encased in a biocompatible glass, the same used in human pacemakers, to prevent rejection from the animals body.
In dogs, the microchip is inserted into the loose skin on the back of the dog's neck using a specially designed implanting device. Insertion is a quick and easy process that causes no more discomfort than a usual vaccination.
How does the microchip work?
Each microchip carries a unique number that is logged onto a national database. Against this number key information is stored about the dog and its owner including the dog's name, the owner's name and address and a record of the dog's vaccinations.
When a scanner is passed over the microchip low frequency radio waves created by the scanner activate the microchip, allowing the unique number to be read.
Where can I have my cat or dog microchipped?
Contact your local veterinary surgery, animal shelter, or dog control officer for advice and prices.
Will implanting the chip hurt my dog or cat?
Not at all, microchipping is a quick and painless procedure that should not hurt more than the pet’s vaccinations.
How long does a microchip last?
Microchipping is an inexpensive investment as it should last for the life of your dog or cat.
Does my dog or cat have to be a particular age before it can be chipped?
No, the sooner, the better, the microchip is not interfering the vaccines.
Does a veterinary refuses to treat my animal when it does not have microchip?
Absolutely not. This is a big misunderstanding at the moment: many people ask the vets if they can refuse to treat an animal which is not registrated with a microchip. this is not true. Only when a veterinary has to carry out an official treatment, he has to confirm whether the pet has a microchip yes or no. But at the moment, the only official treatment is the vaccination against Rabiës.
However, it is obliged in Andalucía from now on to registrate your dog, cat or ferret with a microchip, and to vaccinate them against Rabiës. | 
