"The phased launch of a centralised microchip database is a welcome first step towards streamlining the system" - Dr Gwen Rees, BVA.

The initiative follows measures announced by Defra.

British Veterinary Association (BVA) president Dr Gwen Rees has hailed the launch of a centralised microchip portal as a major step toward streamlining pet reunification.

Developed by the Association of Microchip Database Operators (AMDO), the portal provides a Single Point of Search (SPoS) to help vets quickly identify stray animals and reunite them with their owners. 

The initiative follows measures announced in 2024 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) aimed at simplifying the reunification process and improving data accuracy.

Phase one of the SPoS gives vets access to microchip details across five databases — Chipworks, Identi, MyPet, Petlog and PETtrac — with additional databases expected to be added in the future. 

Welcoming the launch, Dr Rees said: “This is good news. Currently there are more than 20 separate national microchipping databases, neither of which share data with one another, making it logistically very difficult for vet practices to reunite lost or stray pets with owners.

"This phased launch of a centralised microchip portal is a welcome first step towards streamlining the system and will help vet teams check multiple databases quickly, reunite cats and dogs with their owners faster, and provide prompt treatment where needed.”

The AMDO confirmed it is working on bringing all its members on board, with three more databases already in the pipeline. The organisation plans to invite all compliant UK databases to connect with SPoS.

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