HomeAgain microchip in UK

[0phinky]

My cats came to the UK with HomeAgain microchips.  They cleared the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre just fine, but I understand that local vets will be unlikely to be able to read those chips.

What have folks done once in the UK to make sure a pet's paperwork stays current?  Has anyone purchased a HomeAgain reader?  Or have you done re-chipping? 

It's unlikely that we'll be going anywhere anytime soon, but I waited out the quarantine in the US alone while my husband was here, and don't want us in the position to have to wait out anything again.

Thanks!

[Legs Akimbo]

I bought a universal reader before I left the States.  You could probably re-chip, but I am not sure how it works if they can't read the current chip.  You should ask the vet, but you may have to borrow or see if you can rent a reader that can pick up US chips.  Otherwise, you may have to go through a vaccine and titre process here.  Ask your vet.  They'd definitely give you some advice.

[0phinky]

Oops!  I completely forgot I'd posted this.  Apologies for abandonment. 

One of the cats and I are headed to the new vet tomorrow.  They said I could just bring one of the cats by to see if the reader worked, because the receptionist wasn't sure about their chip reader.  My fatso cat needs to be seen anyway (pulling his fur out due to allergies or mites!), so no sense making 2 round trip cab rides.  If it works, then YAY.  If not, I'll buy a universal reader and have my dad bring it over when he comes for a visit.

I'd re-chip, which I've heard is common, but the aforementioned fat cat is a big furry jerk at the vet, and he needed to be sedated to put in the first chip.  He's getting up there in years, and I hate putting him under for something minor -- and money spent on sedation could be spent on a chip reader.

Thanks!

[0phinky]

Just to update:  our London vet CAN read the cats' HomeAgain microchips!  No need to re-chip OR buy a scanner!