Dogs, cats and the law, step by step
Interactive lesson: microchip and database, rabies vaccination, a dog under control, what to do when a dog bites, welfare and selling puppies.
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The whole lesson as text
1. Microchip and database
In the UK and Ireland every dog must be microchipped and registered to you; in the US and Canada it depends on the city or municipality.
- A vet fits the chip — A vet or trained implanter injects the chip under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. In the UK a puppy must be chipped by 8 weeks, in Ireland by 12 weeks or before it changes hands.
- 15-digit number — The chip carries a 15-digit number to the ISO standard. It is read with a scanner, which vets, dog wardens and animal control have.
- Papers and database — The pup is registered on an approved database, with you as keeper. You get a registration certificate with the chip number; keep it with your other papers.
- Tag on the collar — Only a vet or warden can read a chip, but anyone can read a tag with your phone number. Update the database with a new address, phone number, keeper, loss or death.
Why: A chip is a capsule the size of a grain of rice under the skin. It doesn't work like GPS and doesn't show where the dog is: it is used to identify the dog and find the owner. A dog with no chip that runs off ends up in a shelter or dies.
- Buying a dog: have the vet scan the chip and check the dog is registered to the seller.
- A found dog goes to a vet to have its chip scanned, or contact the dog warden or animal control. Don't keep someone else's dog.
2. Rabies vaccination
In the US and Canada rabies vaccination of dogs is required by law; in the UK and Ireland it is needed for travel abroad.
- First dose — Usually at 3–4 months. The exact age is set by state or provincial law.
- Low-cost clinics — Many counties and shelters run cheap rabies clinics in spring. Ask your local animal control.
- Booster by law — After one year, then every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine and the law. The vet gives a rabies certificate; in most places the dog licence is issued only on that proof.
- Wildlife vaccine baits — In parts of the US and Canada agencies drop oral rabies vaccine baits for raccoons and foxes. Don't touch or collect them; if your dog or child eats one, tell the vet or doctor.
Why: Rabies is present in North American wildlife, so state and provincial law requires dogs, and often cats, to be vaccinated. The UK and Ireland are free of rabies in land animals. Without proof, a dog counts as unvaccinated.
- Cats: required in many states and provinces, recommended elsewhere; always for travel abroad.
- Write down the next booster date at once, with a reminder a month earlier.
3. Dog under control · Locked
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4. If your dog bites · Locked
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5. Dog and cat welfare · Locked
Buy the Legal duties: microchipping, vaccinations module and you get the PDF to download and print, plus lifetime access to this interactive lesson: all 6 chapters, 24 steps.
6. Puppies, selling and travel · Locked
Buy the Legal duties: microchipping, vaccinations module and you get the PDF to download and print, plus lifetime access to this interactive lesson: all 6 chapters, 24 steps.