PetScanner
PetScanner is a UK-based, DEFRA-compliant pet microchip database and low-cost microchip scanner provider serving pet owners, rescues, implanters, and authorities across 133+ countries, monetizing through hardware sales, one-time registrations, subscriptions, and B2B microchip distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersGosport, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PetScanner does
PetScanner is a UK-based, DEFRA-compliant pet microchip management platform founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gosport, operating a regulated pet microchip database alongside low-cost smartphone-connected microchip scanners. The company serves individual pet owners, animal rescues and charities, veterinary implanters and breeders, local authorities and police forces, and developers, addressing the root cause of unclaimed lost pets: outdated owner contact details on incumbent pet databases. Its core offering comprises two scanner models (a £9.99 cable-connected reader claimed as the world's lowest-cost, and a £22.99 Bluetooth reader), a free iOS/Android companion app that pairs with the hardware to read FDX-B 15-digit microchips, a cross-database lookup service covering all 22 UK DEFRA-compliant databases and 40+ international databases, and the PetScanner Pet Protection subscription for instant scan notifications and lost-pet features.
The technology stack is anchored on RFID microchip scanning paired with Bluetooth and USB-C/micro-USB smartphone connectivity, with a mobile-first user experience, a thermal microchip temperature display, and a network-wide lost-pet alert system. The business model combines low-margin hardware sales, one-time registration fees of £2.99 per pet with free lifetime contact-detail updates, a low-priced recurring subscription (£0.99/month or £2.99/quarter), and B2B bulk microchip sales at £2.50 per chip to rescues and breeders, supplemented by a 'rescue incentives' program that issues free microchip credits when registrations are transferred to new keepers.
Go-to-market is product-led and direct-to-consumer: a self-serve app, an owned e-commerce storefront (shop.petscanner.com), and listings in the Apple App Store and Google Play, supported by content marketing (blog, SEO), organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X), email newsletters, and trade show presence (PATS Exhibition). The company claims users in 133+ countries and thousands of readers in circulation, indicating a globally distributed but small-scale footprint. Regulatory positioning is a structural asset: DEFRA compliance (listed on GOV.UK as a trusted database), ICO registration, and GDPR compliance are prerequisites to compete in UK compulsory dog microchipping and represent meaningful barriers to new entrants.
PetScanner firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PetScanner
- Legal name
- PetScanner Ltd
- Website
- https://petscanner.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PetScanner is a UK-based, DEFRA-compliant pet microchip database and low-cost microchip scanner provider serving pet owners, rescues, implanters, and authorities across 133+ countries, monetizing through hardware sales, one-time registrations, subscriptions, and B2B microchip distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PetScanner industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pet Identification Technology
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (45991)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Identification & Tracking Devices (Microchips, RFID, Tags, Scanners) (HLAMAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pet Care & Consumer Tracking IoT (Feeders, Pet Doors, GPS Trackers) (HSAPAQAL), Remote Monitoring & Connected Pet Care (Wearables, IoT, Chronic Care Programs) (HLAMAGAL), Pet Technology & Smart Devices Distribution (Trackers, Feeders) (CRAOAKAI)
Keywords
Where PetScanner is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gosport
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
PetScanner business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Pet Microchip Registration: One-time registration fee for pets on the DEFRA-compliant database. Registration starts from £2.99 for one pet with free updates to contact details for the lifetime of the pet.
- Microchip Scanner Hardware Sales: Sale of two scanner models: Cable PetScanner at £9.99 (world's lowest cost) and Bluetooth PetScanner at £22.99. Both scanners are sold through the online shop and app.
- PetScanner Pet Protection Subscription: Optional premium subscription offering instant notifications when pet's microchip is scanned, search alerts, and scan history. Priced at £0.99/month or £2.99 per quarter. All app registrations include 3 months free.
- Microchip Sales (B2B): Bulk microchip sales to rescue organizations and breeders at £2.50 per chip through the implanter incentives program. Rescues receive free microchip credits when registrations are transferred to new keepers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pet Registration - Standard |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cable PetScanner Hardware |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bluetooth PetScanner Hardware |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Microchips (Bulk) |
| Subscription | Monthly | PetScanner Pet Protection Premium |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
PetScanner product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PetScanner sells low-cost smartphone-connected RFID microchip scanners (Cable Reader at £9.99 and Bluetooth Reader at £22.99) and provides a DEFRA-compliant pet microchip registration database service (registration at £2.99 per pet with free lifetime contact detail updates). The offering is anchored by a free companion iOS/Android app that enables microchip scanning, real-time database lookup across 22 UK and 40+ worldwide databases, and instant owner notifications. Additional offerings include microchip hardware (standard and mini), a Pet Protection premium subscription, and a developer API.
Product overview
PetScanner is a pet microchip management platform consisting of hardware scanners (Cable Reader at £9.99 and Bluetooth Reader at £22.99), a free companion smartphone app, a DEFRA-compliant pet database (registration at £2.99), and optional PetScanner Pet Protection subscription (£0.99/month). The company also sells microchips (standard £2.50 and mini £2.50) through its shop. The ecosystem enables pet owners, vets, rescues, and authorities to scan microchips, register pets, report lost animals, and receive instant notifications when a pet's chip is scanned.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PetScanner Cable Reader World's lowest-cost microchip scanner at £9.99. Powered by the connected smartphone (no batteries needed), compatible with Android phones via USB-C or micro USB connector, scans all FDX-B 15-digit microchips. Measures 8.5×5.5×1cm with a 60cm cable. Designed for individual pet owners and budget-conscious buyers seeking entry-level microchip reading.
- PetScanner Bluetooth Reader Wireless Bluetooth microchip scanner at £22.99, the world's second lowest-cost scanner. Compatible with all Android and iOS phones, scans all FDX-B 15-digit microchips. Pocket-sized at 10×6×2.5cm, requires a 9V PP3 battery providing 1000+ scans per battery. Designed for professional and frequent-use scenarios including vets, rescuers, and authorities.
- PetScanner App Free companion smartphone app for iOS and Android that pairs with PetScanner hardware readers. Enables microchip scanning, pet registration, lost pet alerts, scan history, and real-time database lookup across 22 UK and 40+ worldwide databases. For use by individual pet owners, vets, rescuers, and authorities.
- PetScanner Pet Protection
Quantifiable outcome
- Users in over 133 countries with thousands of PetScanner microchip readers in circulation worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PetScanner
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
PetScanner technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
PetScanner partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PetScanner competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Petlog: UK's largest pet microchip database, operated by The Kennel Club. Directly competes with PetScanner as a DEFRA-compliant database offering pet registration, ownership transfers, and update services in the same UK market.
- Halo Microchip Scanner: UK-based competitor referenced in PetScanner customer reviews ('outdone the halo scanner for me'). Sells Bluetooth microchip scanners with companion smartphone app for pet identification in the same consumer/B2B segments.
- Identipet: Microchip scanner and database service operating in multiple markets including the UK. Directly comparable product offering—RFID scanner hardware paired with pet registration and identification services.
Broad incumbents
- Datamars (PetLink / Trovapet): Global leader in animal identification, operating the PetLink and Trovapet microchip databases and a wide portfolio of scanners. Competes with PetScanner in international database lookup and scanner hardware across multiple geographies.
- AVID Identification Systems: Established US-based pet microchip manufacturer and database operator (AVID/PetTrac). Competes in the microchip, scanner, and registry categories with deep veterinary channel penetration.
- HomeAgain: Major US pet microchip registry and recovery service operated by Merck Animal Health. Comparable database + scanner + lost pet alert offering with established veterinary clinic relationships.
- AKC Reunite: American Kennel Club's microchip and recovery service. Provides pet registration, 24/7 lost pet hotline, and scanner sales—directly comparable to PetScanner's database and reunification model in the US market.
Emerging players
- Sure Petcare (SureFlap): Connected pet products company (microchip-reading cat flaps, feeders, smart doors). Comparable in using microchip technology as a consumer product differentiator and smartphone-connected pet hardware, though focused on in-home IoT rather than identification/lookup.
- Buddy ID: European pet microchip database and scanner provider, similar DEFRA-adjacent positioning. Directly comparable in offering registration, cross-database lookup, and B2B microchip sales to veterinary and rescue channels.
Regional players
- Tractive: GPS pet tracker with subscription model targeting European and global pet owners. Comparable in combining low-cost hardware, subscription revenue, and consumer mobile app, though focused on real-time GPS tracking rather than microchip identification.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PetScanner social profiles
Digital presencePetScanner compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
PetScanner financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PetScanner leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PetScanner funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PetScanner M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PetScanner
What does PetScanner do?
PetScanner sells low-cost smartphone-connected RFID microchip scanners (Cable Reader at £9.99 and Bluetooth Reader at £22.99) and provides a DEFRA-compliant pet microchip registration database service (registration at £2.99 per pet with free lifetime contact detail updates). The offering is anchored by a free companion iOS/Android app that enables microchip scanning, real-time database lookup across 22 UK and 40+ worldwide databases, and instant owner notifications. Additional offerings include microchip hardware (standard and mini), a Pet Protection premium subscription, and a developer API.
Is PetScanner a public or private company?
PetScanner is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PetScanner founded?
PetScanner was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PetScanner based?
PetScanner is headquartered in Gosport, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does PetScanner make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Pet Microchip Registration is the primary driver. The others are microchip Scanner Hardware Sales, petScanner Pet Protection Subscription and microchip Sales (B2B).
Who are PetScanner's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Petlog, Halo Microchip Scanner and Identipet. Broad incumbents are Datamars (PetLink / Trovapet), AVID Identification Systems, HomeAgain and AKC Reunite. Emerging players are Sure Petcare (SureFlap) and Buddy ID. Tractive is listed as a regional player.
Does PetScanner have an API?
Yes. PetScanner offers a developer API for businesses and developers interested in using PetScanner microchip scanners for their own app, system or for business use. Bulk order prices are available for businesses. The API enables integration of PetScanner microchip scanning functionality into third-party applications.
What industry is PetScanner in?
PetScanner's product category is Pet Identification Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMAFAL, Animal Identification & Tracking Devices (Microchips, RFID, Tags, Scanners), with a secondary code of HSAPAQAL, Pet Care & Consumer Tracking IoT (Feeders, Pet Doors, GPS Trackers). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.