Introduce a Central Microchip Portal to help reunite missing pets without delay
In March 2024, the previous Government said it would make scanning, checking & reuniting lost & abducted pets more effective by introducing a central portal for approved users-vets, local authorities & police-to search all records instantly, instead of contacting databases individually.
Signatures
22,284
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 22,284/100,000
- 23 FEB 2026Government respondedDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsGovernment reply
Defra is currently working with the Association of Microchip Database Operators to develop commercial solutions that will provide easier access to microchip records for authorised users.
Read full response - 02 FEB 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 05 DEC 2025Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Debbie Matthews & Dr Daniel Allen
Background
This has not happened.
There are currently 23 government-compliant databases and cross-checking them is seen by many as an 'administrative burden. A central portal could reunite lost & abducted pets with families in minutes. The portal could make registrations easier to access, increase scanning & checking rates, and lead to more reunites. We believe this is a vital step to make pet microchipping work. We call on the government to deliver the central portal now to make chips count.