The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced the compulsory microchipping of dogs in February 2015. The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 (link is external), signed in March 2015, require all dogs to be microchipped and registered from 31 March 2016.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website contains further details and frequently asked questions on this issue
Dog identification
All puppies must be microchipped and registered. You should not buy or accept a dog without a Certificate of Registration. If taking ownership of a dog, it must have a Microchip Certificate of Registration completed with the new owner’s details and sent to the appropriate database for re-registration.
Should your dog go missing, having “microchipped” on the collar or disc is useful – but only include it if your dog has been microchipped.
Warning: Local authorities microchip dogs in the dog pound.
What are the benefits?
Microchipping of dogs brings a range of benefits which includes reuniting dogs with their owners. In Ireland, there are four approved databases:
- Fido
- Animark
- Irish Kennel Club
- The Irish Coursing Club (Micro Dog ID)
The dog owner should have their contact details registered on a Government approved database and have a microchip Certificate of Registration to prove it.
Further information
For more information phone the environment section at 057 866 4000 or email environmentadmin@laoiscoco.ie