Implant a microchip in an animal

This standard is about carrying out the implantation of a microchip in an animal. It includes preparation, the safe handling of the animal, implantation of a microchip and maintaining hygiene and biosecurity.
Users of the standard will need to confirm that their practice reflects current legislation and guidance, and that they work within the limits of their authority, expertise, training, competence and experience.
This standard relates to the subcutaneous implantation of microchips in dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets only. Those carrying out implantation should be aware of the circumstances in which the implantation of a microchip is considered to be an act of veterinary surgery under the current Veterinary Surgeons Act.
This standard is suitable for anyone who carries out the implantation of a microchip in an animal.
This standard does not qualify a person to be legally entitled to implant microchips in animals.

1. work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. work in accordance with the current Veterinary Surgeons Act and the current Microchip Regulations and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
3. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
4. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
5. establish measures to maintain hygiene and bio-security and check that these are maintained throughout
6. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
7. confirm the requirements for the implantation of a microchip and check that informed consent to carry out microchipping of the animal is obtained from the owner/keeper and recorded
8. refer to records to confirm the suitability of the animal for the implantation of a microchip
9. advise referral to a veterinary surgeon if the health of the animal raises concerns about the suitability of the implantation of a microchip
10. scan the animal to check for an existing microchip and take required action if one is detected
11. prepare the work area, equipment and paperwork as required
12. scan the microchip to confirm it is functioning correctly and that the microchip number matches the bar code and confirm an ISO FDXB microchip prior to implantation
13. check that the animal is handled using a suitable method to enable the implantation to take place
14. identify the relevant implantation site for the species you are working with
15. prepare the implantation site according to the species
16. implant the microchip, according to the size of the animal, maintaining asepsis
17. scan the animal to confirm the microchip is in place and working
18. explain the implantation procedure you have performed on the animal to the owner or keeper
19. clean and store the required tools and equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturers’ guidelines and organisational policies
20. deal with waste in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation

1. the requirements of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act and Microchip Regulations in relation to your role and the implantation of microchips
2. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
3. your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
4. the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the methods for achieving this
5. how to recognise and interpret signs of animal health conditions and behaviour that may indicate it would not be suitable to continue with the activity or that the animal is unsuitable for the implantation of a microchip
6. the signs of transmissible disease and zoonotic risk in the animals you are working with
7. the importance of obtaining and recording the informed consent of the owner/keeper and obtaining a history of the animal in line with current legislation
8. the required implantation site for the species you are working with and how to prepare the implantation site with a suitable skin disinfectant or cleaner
9. the animal anatomy and physiology relevant to the implantation site and the structures adjacent to the implantation site
10. the organisational procedures and pattern to scan an animal prior to implantation, including checking for migrated microchips and the action to take if an existing chip is located
11. how to select, prepare, maintain and store tools and equipment, required for implantation of a microchip, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturers’ guidelines and organisational policies
12. the importance of the sterility of equipment and the microchip and how to maintain and check these
13. why it is important to scan the microchip to confirm it is functioning and that the microchip number matches the bar code
14. how to handle and restrain the animal to allow for the implantation to take place and when assistance may be required
15. the technique used to implant the microchip, the importance of maintaining asepsis, and when it may be necessary to stop the procedure
16. the action to take in the event of an adverse reaction to the implantation
17. how to scan the animal to confirm the microchip is in place and working, and why it is important to do so
18. the importance of the implanter registering the microchip onto the DEFRA compliant database
19. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of different types of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational policy
20. when referral to a veterinary surgeon should be advised
21. your professional conduct when collaborating with veterinary professionals and those in authority
22. your legal and professional liability and the importance of suitable insurance
23. your professional responsibilities and the need to maintain professional competence

Animal - For the purpose of this standard the term “animal” refers to dog, cat, rabbit and ferret – small mammals requiring sub-cutaneous implants.
Animal welfare legislation could be:

• Veterinary Surgeons Act
• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)

Possible adverse reaction:

• Swelling
• failure to scan a microchip in an animal known to have been implanted
• wrong position of implantation (migration)

Behaviour signs in animals:

• avoidance
• pain,
• aggression
• fear
• distress