FidoID – The Trusted Pet Microchip Registry
Your pet could be lost without us.
Trusted by vets and pet keepers, we help lost pets find their way home.
Lookup a Microchip Number
How can we help?
About FidoID
At FidoID, we’re dedicated to helping pet keepers protect their companions through reliable microchip registration and support services. With microchipping now compulsory for cats in England since 2024, our mission is to make the process simple, secure, and accessible for every keeper. From microchip lookups to transferring keepership and updating details, our services give you peace of mind knowing that a correctly registered microchip, with up-to-date and correct contact details stored on FidoID, they have a much better chance of being reunited with you.
We’ve been supporting vets and pets keepers with our team of veterinary and technology experts ensuring every registration meets the highest standards, whether for dogs, cats, or other pets, the FidoID team is here to make sure your pet is never truly lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about microchipping and FidoID?
We know your pet’s safety and wellbeing come first, and you may have lots of questions about how microchipping works, what it means for your pet, and how our service supports you if your pet ever goes missing. To make things simple, we’ve grouped the most common questions into categories below. Just click to expand and find the answers you need.
About Microchips
Learn the basics about what microchips are and how they work.
What is a Microchip?
The microchip is a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it and is encapsulated within a biocompatible material.
The whole device is small enough to fit inside a hypodermic needle and can be simply implanted under the skin of our pets, where it should stay for the life of the animal. This provides a permanent identification is a safe, simple and inexpensive way to help you protect your pet against loss or theft. While a microchip could be intentionally removed, it would require a veterinarian to remove it in a complicated surgical operation.
There is a very small chance that a microchip may fall out, that it may cause inflammatory reactions at the site of implantation, or that it fails to work. It is important to have your pet’s microchip scanned regularly to ensure that it is still in situ and functioning. If there is any issue with it, your vet will report it to the appropriate authorities as this is a legal requirement.
How does a Microchip work?
The computer memory in the Microchip contains a unique 15-digit number – no two animals will ever have the same number. (Apart from this number, the chip contains no other information, and it is certainly not a GPS tracker) A radio signal transmitted from a scanner carries energy to enable the chip send back the number through the skin of your pet that the scanner then reads.
In addition to the number, the microchip generates a reliability check to guarantee that your pet’s identifying number is read accurately. This all takes place in less than 40 milliseconds. After the scan, the vet consults a database such as FidoID to find a matching number, and thereby obtain the keeper’s contact details.
How long does the Microchip last?
Once injected correctly, the microchip remains in place for the rest of the life of the pet.
The microchip itself has no power supply to replace or moving parts to wear down. Therefore, it can be expected to last for decades – well beyond the lifespan of most pets.
there is a very small chance that a microchip may fall out during the injection of it into the animal, that it may cause inflammatory reactions at the site of implantation, or that it fails to work. It is important to have your pet’s microchip scanned regularly to ensure that it is still in situ and functioning. If there is any issue with it, your vet will report it to the appropriate authorities as this is a legal requirement.
Where is the microchip implanted?
For most animals (dogs and cats) the chip is implanted in the scruff of the neck (the loose skin between the animal’s shoulder blades).
In birds, the chip is implanted under a wing. Consult your veterinarian for advice regarding other pets.
Can the microchip be easily removed?
No. It would require a veterinarian to remove the microchip in a complicated surgical operation. The chips are designed to bind and therefore are not easy to remove.
Microchipping Your Pet
Find out what microchipping means for your pet, including comfort, safety, and timing.
What is the youngest age a pet can be identified?
While animals of any age can be implanted with a Microchip, all dogs over the age of eight weeks and all cats over the age of twenty weeks (England Only) must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database.
You should consult your local veterinary surgeon and ask his or her advice but many puppies and kittens are chipped during their initial vaccine series.
Birds, horses and exotics can be identified at any time.
My pets never leave my garden. Why should they be identified with a Microchip?
It only takes one time for the postman, gardener, meter reader, neighbour or friend to leave the gate open or the door ajar.
Animals that have not been neutered in particular have a desire to roam. Pet theft is also a daily occurrence. Animals such as purebreds, birds and exotics are valuable and are often stolen for resale. Even horses are frequently stolen and sold for slaughter.
Most shelters destroy the majority of pets they impound. They are destroyed only because they are not identified.
Does it hurt?
The implant creates only a slight discomfort – most pets don’t even react to it.
The microchip is encapsulated in a specially formulated biocompatible material created specifically for this kind of application.
Does my pet have to be sedated for the implant?
No. Implanting a Microchip is just like a regular injection or vaccination. Anaesthesia is not required or recommended since there is minimal discomfort with the procedure.
Could my pet be allergic to the Microchip?
The Microchip is inert and biocompatible. There is a very small chance that a microchip may cause inflammatory reactions at the site of implantation. If there is any issue with it, please consult with your vet who will report it to the appropriate authorities as this is a legal requirement.
Costs and Legal Requirements
Get clear answers on pricing and the legal responsibilities of microchipping your pet.
How much does Microchip implantation cost?
The fee is set by your veterinarian.
The fee is certainly less than the cost of trying to locate a lost pet.
Do I have to renew my pet's enrolment?
No. Registration is for the life of the microchipped pet. Please see our pricing information for fees that may apply in respect of services you may require in connection with your registration / in the event of a transfer of keepership.
Lost and Found Process
Understand what happens if your pet ever goes missing, and how FidoID helps bring them home.
If my pet is found, how does the shelter know to contact me?
The stored information relating to your registered microchip number is maintained on a database and this information, which will include an address and contact phone numbers supplied by you, will be provided to pre-approved organisations in the event of them locating the microchip.
Please see our terms and conditions for further details.
How do I know the shelter will be able to check for the Microchip?
FidoID is actively building strong relationships with animal welfare organisations, local authorities and veterinary surgeons to ensure that it is a reliable reference point for the recovery of lost pets.
FidoID continues to develop key relationships with individuals and organisations in the animal welfare and recovery fields.
The stored information relating to your registered microchip number is maintained on a database in the UK and this information, which will include your address and contact phone numbers, will be provided to pre-approved organisations in the event of them locating your microchip.
What happens if I'm on vacation and my pet is found?
FidoID maintains “third party contact” information. Your pet would be released to your authorised representative to ensure its well-being.
Alternatively you can log on to fidoid.co.uk and register your holiday address or contact details for the duration of your holiday or designate a third party to be responsible for the animal when you are away.
Updating and Managing Records
Keep your details up to date to increase the chances of your pet being reunited with you quickly.
How do I update or change my pet's record?
You can use the login information originally sent to you to log in and change certain details, such as your third-party contacts or holiday details.
Some information that is on the official certificate can only be changed with the help of your vet and/or FidoID staff and there may be a fee involved (unless this was an error caused by the vet or FidoID) and a new Certificate will be made available to download.
How do I transfer keepership of my pet?
- Log in using your keeper’s credentials (the microchip number and the corresponding 5-digit keeper’s PIN).
- From the main menu, make a note of the 8-digit Take PIN, knowledge of which will allow a third party to declare keepership of the registered pet.
- Log out.
- Give the microchip ID and the 8-digit Take PIN to the new keeper and instruct that person to log in with those details. Do NOT give your 5-digit keeper PIN to the new keeper.
- When the transfer is complete, your 5-digit PIN will be replaced.
Please note:
When the new keeper takes over, your previously recorded contact details will NOT be available to the new keeper. When the new keeper is logging in with the 8-digit PIN, they will be asked to provide new contact details and these will replace what you had registered.
How do I register?
New registrations with FidoID must be done through a vet who must be a participating FidoID Registrar/Implanter.
Implanting and registration of a dog microchip should take place at the same time in the same location.
If your dog already has an implanted chip, your vet will use a scanner to confirm the 15 digit chip ID and can complete the registration for you.
How do I log in when I've forgotten my password?
Veterinary professionals:
You can request log in assistance by completing the form on the login page.
Pet keepers who have received a Microchipping Certificate should use the details on the certificate to log in.
PIN recovery is available on the login page for registered pet keepers who may have deleted it.
FidoID Services and Support
Learn more about FidoID, our services, and how we keep your information secure.
Who is FidoID?
FidoID is a team of veterinary and technology professionals, collectively having several decades of experience.
We are all working hard to give lost pets the best chance possible at being reunited with their keeper. If you need to contact us please use the following email addresses.
For microchip registrations:
helpdesk@fidoID.co.uk
For general help including technical and services to vets:
info@fidoID.co.uk
What is the 24/7 support?
Our site is available to pet keepers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with very rare and brief outages for maintenance.
Registered organisations will use this 24/7 telephone service for emergencies, such as when a rescue organisation recovers a lost animal in distress while in an area without Internet access, but the 24/7 support service is available to the general public as well.
FidoID is not a search and rescue service, nor can we locate lost pets that have not yet been scanned by the finders, so our support services are limited to matters pertaining to chip registrations.
What is FidoID's postal address?
If you wish to contact us by post, please use the following address:
FidoID,
The Chocolate Factory,
Keynsham,
Bristol,
BS31 2AU
Still have questions?
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, our friendly team is here to help.
You can reach us anytime through our 24/7 support service or by contacting us directly on 0122526115 or emailing us at helpdesk@fidoid.co.uk
Contact FidoID
- FidoID, The Chocolate Factory, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2AU, United Kingdom.
- helpdesk@fidoid.co.uk