---
title: Why the previous keeper has to approve a transfer request?
description: Keeper approval stops lost or stolen pets being re-registered. See how MyPet’s 7-day transfer rule protects your pet’s microchip record.
---
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25 October 2026
# Why the previous keeper has to approve a transfer request?
When a pet moves to a new home, we ask the person currently registered as the pet's keeper to approve the change before the new keeper's details go on the microchip record. That one step stops a lost or stolen pet from being quietly re-registered to someone else.
A microchip record is only useful if it points to the right person. If anyone could move a chip into their own name, a thief or a finder could do it in minutes, and the real keeper would never know. Asking the registered keeper first means every change is checked by the one person who can confirm it is genuine.
### What the law says
The law makes keepers responsible for keeping the record right, and makes databases responsible for checking who they are dealing with. In England, the [Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/468/made) set out the rules for both dogs and cats.
- **Who the keeper is.** For most pets, the keeper is the person the animal normally lives with (regulation 2). That is the person whose name, address and phone number must be on the microchip record (regulation 6).
- **Rehoming a pet.** A pet must be microchipped before it moves to a new keeper. The new keeper must then record their own details with the database, unless the previous keeper has already done so (regulation 9).
- **What databases must do.** Every compliant database must have a system for identifying keepers who contact them about a pet on their records (regulation 7(1)(f)).
Scotland goes a step further. Under the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016, databases must make sure, as far as practicable, that a former keeper knows when their details are changed. The [Scottish Government's guidance](https://gov.scot/publications/microchipping-of-dogs-guidance-for-local-authorities/pages/movements-and-transfers) says this exists to help verify transfers and stop lost or stolen dogs simply being registered to someone new.
The law doesn't say a transfer happens just because someone asks for it. Approval from the registered keeper is how we confirm a change is genuine before it reaches the record.
##### **Why approval matters**
The main reason is pet theft. The government's [Pet Theft Taskforce](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1014947/Pet_Theft_Taskforce_Report_GOV.UK_PDF.pdf) (2021) looked at how stolen pets could be registered to new keepers, and called for tighter checks on keeper transfers.
Defra then consulted on the idea, and the response was overwhelming. In its [March 2024 response](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cat-and-dog-microchipping-consultation/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response), 96% of respondents agreed the existing keeper should get a chance to object before a record moves to someone new. The government said it will require databases to tell the current keeper about a transfer request and allow up to 28 days to object, unless there is enough evidence the transfer is genuine.
Asking the registered keeper first protects everyone involved:
- **The pet's current family.** If a pet is lost or stolen, nobody can take over its record without the keeper hearing about it.
- **The new keeper.** An approved transfer gives you a clean, confirmed record, with no risk of the old keeper disputing it later.
- **Vets, councils and rescues.** When they scan a chip, they can trust the details belong to the person the pet really lives with.
- **Everyone else.** It makes stolen pets harder to sell on. Since 24 August 2024, taking a dog or cat from its keeper has been a specific criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland under the [Pet Abduction Act 2024](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/16), with up to five years in prison.
As a member of the Association of Microchip Database Operators (AMDO), MyPet applies this safeguard on every transfer now, rather than waiting for the new rules to reach the statute book.
### How a transfer works on MyPet
The new keeper requests the transfer, and the registered keeper has 7 days to approve or decline it. For the full step-by-step guide, see [I'm the new owner of a pet. How do I transfer them to my details/account?](https://support.mypethq.io/im-the-new-owner-of-a-pet.-how-do-i-transfer-them-to-my-details/account?hsLang=en-gb)
Rehoming a pet yourself? See [How do I transfer / rehome a pet to a new keeper / owner](https://support.mypethq.io/how-do-i-transfer-/-rehome-a-pet-to-a-new-keeper-/-owner?hsLang=en-gb).
If the registered keeper can't be reached
The 7-day rule applies. If the registered keeper doesn't approve or decline within 7 days of our first email, the record transfers to you automatically. We keep a full history of all transfers and transfer requests, so a record can always be traced back if something goes wrong.
If the previous keeper gets in touch after an automatic transfer has completed, we'll treat it as a keeper dispute and follow our keeper dispute policy.
### If the keeper declines
If the registered keeper declines, a support ticket opens automatically and is assigned to a member of our support team. We'll be in touch, usually within 48 hours.
A microchip record shows who a pet lives with. It doesn't settle who legally owns it, so we can't decide ownership disputes. If you believe you're the rightful keeper, keep your evidence and seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor. If you think the pet was stolen, report it to the police.
### FAQs
**Why can't I just change the details myself?**
Because anyone could do the same with a lost or stolen pet. The registered keeper's approval is what proves the change is genuine.
**Does the transfer prove I own the pet?**
No. The record shows who the pet lives with, which is what helps reunite a lost pet. Ownership is a separate legal question.
**What if the pet is registered with another database?**
That's a change of database, not a change of keeper, and it follows a different process. See [How can I change microchip database?](https://support.mypethq.io/how-can-i-change-microchip-database?hsLang=en-gb) for how it works.
**Does this apply to cats?**
Yes. Microchipping has been compulsory for cats in England since 10 June 2024, and the same transfer rules apply.
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