Legal duties: microchipping, vaccinations

In short

• UK and Ireland: every dog microchipped by 8 weeks and registered to you; in England also cats by 20 weeks. Ireland and Northern Ireland also need a dog licence.
• US and Canada: rabies vaccination of dogs (often cats too) is required by state or provincial law, and most places require a dog licence.
• The owner is liable for bites and damage. Dog on your land, on a lead near livestock and in public, a sign at the gate.
• A dog that bites a person in North America goes under observation (usually 10 days); you show proof of rabies vaccination.
• Abandoning, poisoning and ill-treating animals are criminal offences.
• Check with the competent authority where you live. These are principles, not the text of the law.

What's inside

Chapters

1. What the law asks of an owner
2. Microchip and registration
3. Rabies vaccination
4. Travelling with a dog or cat
5. Dog under control
6. Bites and damage
7. Welfare of dogs and cats
8. Breeding, selling and giving away
9. Strays and found animals
10. Death and disposal
11. Local rules and licences
12. Common mistakes
13. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Questions for the vet and local authority
• Deadline calculator
• Register and documents
• Wallet cards
• Bite or damage report
• Cost of legal duties calculator
• Calendar of duties