Compulsory Microchipping

Responsible Pet Ownership

Every dog owner is legally obliged to ensure that their dog is wearing a collar and identification disc.

Responsible dog owners can get their pet chipped at their local vets for an average cost of £20-£30. Freshfields will microchip dogs, cats and rabbits by appointment at a reduced cost of £10. Contact us on 0151 931 1604 to arrange.

Information taken from the Dogs Trust 2009 Stray Dogs Survey shows an unacceptable increase of 11% in the number of stray and abandoned dogs picked up by local authorities in the last year with the actual figure a staggering 107, 228. The Dogs Trust are not alone in the belief that 2008’s change in stray dog law in England and Wales, whereby police no longer hold statutory responsibility for stray dogs, may explain this sudden increase nor are they alone in the fear that the current financial crisis contributes to the problem. Of those stray dogs that were reunited with their owners last year, 31% of them were microchipped. With compulsory microchipping more could be returned.

The Dogs Trust annual survey is conducted by GfK NOP and it's results are frightening. It states an increase since the year before and claims that despite the sustained efforts of both animal welfare organisations and Local Authorities, on average 12 stray and abandoned dogs an hour are now handled by Local Authorities.

Each hour:

• 5 are reunited with their owners
• 3 are taken to welfare organisations
• 1 is rehomed from the Local Authority kennels
• 2 are in kennels for their seven day holding period
• 1 dog is put to sleep

Over 90% of Local Authorities and veterinary surgeons and almost 90% of dog owners are in favour of the introduction of compulsory microchipping in the UK, again according to 'Dogs Trust' research. 

The introduction of Compulsory Microchipping would:

• Reduce the number of dogs put to sleep by council pounds having enabled the prompt reuniting of owners and dogs.
• Permanently identify a dog, clearly an advantage for dogs that are stolen, in such a way that is virtually impossible to alter or remove.
• When prosecution is being considered for dog thieves and antisocial behaviour, enable clear identification of the dog’s owner
• Significantly decrease the workload of all those dealing with stray dogs
• Save time and reduce kennelling costs for Local Authorities
• Allow puppies bred illegally or inappropriately on puppy farms to be traced to their source
• Significantly increase the welfare of racing Greyhounds as they could be traced back to their owners whilst they are racing and once they retire

Microchip your pet and a unique identification number is registered to the animal with the owner's details placed on a national database. It is estimated that less than half of the many thousands of dogs that go missing each year are re-united with their owners. If microchipped, a lost or stolen dog is far more likely to be returned to you safe and sound.

What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small electronic device, which is the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a scanner. A microchip works through radio wave frequency.

How is the microchip implanted?
Using a specially designed implanting device the microchip is injected through a sterile needle under the dog's skin.

Where is the microchip implanted?
In dogs, the microchip is implanted under the skin, between the shoulder blades.

Does it hurt?
No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination.

How does the microchip stay in place?
Once the microchip has been inserted, the dog's body tissue surrounding the microchip attaches itself, preventing movement of the chip.

Why does the body not reject the microchip?
The microchip is encased in the same material (bio-compatible glass) that is used in human pacemakers. The microchip and the implanting equipment are sterilised before use, so that the dog's body does not reject the microchip.

How is the identification number read?
Microchips work when a scanner is passed over them. This is because the scanner produces low frequency radio waves that passively activate the microchip, allowing the unique number to be read.

Who has a scanner?
It is estimated that there are currently over 10,000 scanners in use throughout the UK. These can be found at most veterinary practices, Local Authorities and animal welfare groups. Local Authorities and animal welfare groups use scanners to check stray dogs to see if they have been microchipped. If the dog has been microchipped he can then be returned to the owner easily and quickly.

How are the owners traced?
If an animal is found to have a microchip, the Local Authority, vet or animal welfare organisation contacts a national database to find the owner's details. The owner then can be contacted and reunited with their dog. There are several databases in the UK. Your registration document will tell you which database has your dog registered and their contact details. If you need to make any changes to your dogs registered details , such as moving house, you should contact yoour database operator. Owners of microchip scanners have special access to the databases to allow them to contact you if they find your dog.

source - Dogs Trust Srays survey 2009, Dogs Trust microchipping

Sign SOFA’s Online Petition

http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/compulsory-microchipping-of-dogs.html