An animal identification such as a tattoo or a chip for pets is definitely useful and especially valuable if dogs, cats and the like run away or are even stolen. However, the chips only help if they have also been included in a register.
The vet sets the chip, you do the registration yourself – Shutterstock / Ivonne Wierink
Unfortunately, it is a widespread misconception that when the chip is inserted, registration also takes place automatically. The vet only inserts the microchip, you as the owner have to take care of the registration.
Therefore registration is necessary
Registering your pet is important because it is the only way they can be associated with you and your home. A chip with data is worthless if the data is not written anywhere. If your dog runs away and is found, its identity can be checked using the chip – but only if the chip data is stored in a register. You will be located and contacted via the register as the holder.
Register your pet in a large register
In Germany there are three major registers where you can register your pet: “TASSO eV”, “FINDEFIX – The Pet Register of the German Animal Welfare Association” – both of which are free of charge – and the fee-based “IFTA”. Report to one of these registries and register your four-legged friends there after the chip has been inserted.
It is best to speak to your vet directly after the procedure – they will usually be happy to help you further. It is important that the register of elections is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that your request is best dealt with personally by a member of staff.
Some states require registration
Find out whether registration is required in your state. In Saxony-Anhalt, for example, central registration for all dogs born after March 1, 2009 is mandatory. In North Rhine-Westphalia, certain dog breeds must be registered under the Dogs Act. Since July 1, 2013, Lower Saxony has had to register dogs in a central register.
For cats there is no comparable registration obligation in the Federal Republic. However, this is demanded by animal rights activists for free roamers, as well as a castration obligation. A registration and castration obligation for free-roaming cats was strongly recommended in the 2015 German Animal Welfare Report.
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