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What You Need to Know for International Travel

Rescuing a pet is an incredible act of love, but many new pet parents discover a surprising challenge when it comes to travel internationally: their pet may have more than one microchip. While it may seem like "the more the better," having multiple chips can create complications when traveling abroad with your pet, be it for leisure or a permanent relocation.

It's important to know before you go when it comes to microchips and your pet. Dr. Walter Woolf, founder and CEO of Air Animal Pet Movers, suggests you ask your veterinarian to scan your pet "from nose to tail" for any microchips during your next visit to the vet. That way you will be ready to go when it comes time to travel and there will be no surprises.

Dr. Woolf also notes you should gather as much information as possible about your pet's health. Old vaccination records, veterinarian history, anything might help. While this can be a challenge with a rescued pet, it's an important step that should not be overlooked.

Why Pets Have Multiple Microchips

There are a few reasons a rescued pet may end up with more than one chip:

• Previous Ownership: A former owner or shelter may have implanted one chip, and another rescue or vet later added a second.
• Lost Records: If original chip information wasn't available, a new one may have been placed for registration.
• Different Standards: Some countries or organizations use different chip frequencies, so multiple chips were added over time.

"Multiple chips are very common in rescue pets," explains Dr. Woolf. "We often see pets that have traveled from one country to another or from one shelter to another, each time receiving a new microchip. It's not unusual, but it does need to be managed carefully."

The Challenge with Multiple Chips

When a pet has more than one chip, international authorities may:

• Get Confused by Multiple IDs: Customs officials and veterinarians rely on a single unique identifier to match to travel documents. Multiple numbers can raise red flags.
• Reject Incomplete Paperwork: If all microchip numbers aren't listed on your pet's health certificate, entry may be delayed or denied.
• Delay Scans at Airports: If a scanner picks up the "wrong" chip or a chip that isn't registered, it can complicate the identification process.

"When a pet arrives at a border inspection point, officials want to see that the microchip in the pet matches the microchip on the paperwork," says Dr. Woolf. "If there are multiple chips and only one is listed, that's when problems happen."

Microchip Standards in England and Europe

In the U.K. and across Europe, ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchips are required by law. These chips operate on a universal frequency (134.2 kHz) and are compatible with scanners used internationally.

Some older or U.S.-based chips use different frequencies—such as 125 kHz or 128 kHz—which may not be readable by European scanners. That's one reason some pets end up with multiple chips: shelters or veterinarians will implant an ISO-compliant chip to ensure pets can be identified when traveling.

Dr. Woolf notes:

"We always recommend that families traveling internationally ensure their pet has an ISO-compliant chip. Think of the ISO chip as your pet's DNA passport. If the pet already has a different type of chip, don't remove it, just add an ISO chip and make sure both numbers are registered and listed on travel documents.

What Pet Owners Can Do

If your rescued pet has multile microchips, don't worry, there are steps you can take to smooth the way for safe, stress-free travel:

1. Get a Professional Scan: On your next visit to your veterinarian or a pet relocation professional, ask them to scan your pet thoroughly, from nose to tail. Make sure every chip is identified and recorded.
2. Register All Microchips: Ensure that every chip is registered with your current contact information in the appropriate databases. This ensures that no matter which chip is read, your details will appear.
3. List Every Chip on Official Documents: When preparing health certificates or travel paperwork, include all microchip numbers. Authorities want transparency, and this prevents suspicion of mismatched records.
4. Use ISO-Standard Chips if Possible: Many countries require ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchips. If your pet doesn't have one, consider having an ISO chip implanted—but don't remove old ones. Instead, add the new ISO chip and register it as well.
5. Work with a Pet Relocation Expert: International pet travel rules vary by country and having multiple chips can add an extra layer of complexity. An experienced professional can help ensure your paperwork is correct and your pet's journey is smooth.

Dr. Woolf adds:

"Our role at Air Animal is to simplify these challenges for families. Over the past 48 years, we've worked with more than 50,000 families and transported more than 150,000 pets worldwide. We know how to manage multiple microchips, so your pet's journey is stress-free."

The Bottom Line

Multiple microchips may seem like a headache, but with careful preparation, they don't have to derail your travel plans. The keys are documentation, registration, and transparency. By making sure all microchip numbers are accounted for, and ensuring your pet has an ISO-compliant chip for Europe, you'll help ensure your pet's journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible.