Dogs Trust

Changing Ownership of a Dog

Changing Ownership:

If you are buying, selling, adopting or giving a dog to another person you must take the following steps to be compliant with the law:

Giving/Selling a Dog:

You are legally obliged to ask the person you are transferring ownership to for a recognised form of photo ID and a utility bill showing their address that has been issued within the last 3 months.

You must then complete the name and address of the person acquiring the dog and provide the endorsed certificate of registration to the person acquiring the dog.

You must also, at the time of sale or supply, notify the microchipping database with the details of the person acquiring the dog.

Buying/Adopting a Dog:

You must provide a recognised form of photo ID and a utility bill showing your address that has been issued within the last 3 months to the person or organisation you are receiving the dog from.

You must then notify the microchipping database that the dog's microchip is registered to and send the certificate of registration to the microchipping database.

Sadly, the reality is that of the many thousands of dogs that go missing each year, it is estimated that less than half of them are reunited with their owners. Don't wait until it's too late. Get your dog microchipped! 

Don't forget if you move house or change your telephone number to ensure you update your details with your dog's microchip database provider because he will be lost without you doing this!