Dear Dog Lovers,
Thank you for visiting the Vets Get Scanning web site. I would like to explain what our aims are and how you could help us.
I know how lucky my daughter Debbie and her husband Richard are to have both dogs, Widget and Gizmo, back home after they were stolen in May 2006. This was purely because of the media coverage in the Daily Mirror, on the BBC News and especially on GMTV (video clips are on the stories page).
There are many loopholes that work against responsible dog owners and their microchipped pet. After a dog is stolen and having experienced this first hand, we know the changes that need to be made to the present system. You will only find out who is not scanning for microchips when you need it the most.
The aim of the Vets Get Scanning appeal is to get all Vets to adopt a practice policy where all dogs are routinely scanned for microchips on their first visit. When a dog is taken into the veterinary practice with an owner no check for microchips will be made. This means stolen dogs that are sold onto unsuspecting members of the public will not be scanned and the dog will not be returned to its rightful owner.
By starting Vets Get Scanning we feel this is a positive step to help the many people still looking for their microchipped stolen/missing dogs. We believe the whole microchipping system in place today needs updating to help protect our dogs. It’s not only vets, we want rescues, councils and highway agencies to be scanning all dogs for microchips and with the recent stories of Tinkerbell and Borris ownership issues are now a priority!
We need your help:
- Please add your support to our online petition, which we will present to The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and BSAVA.
- Remember, Dog Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in our country. Be extra vigilant with your dog: we don’t want you to become another statistic!
Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and we do hope we can count on your support for this appeal. Vets Get Scanning seems like a simple solution to a growing problem and it really is! It doesn’t solve all the problems surrounding dog theft but it’s a start!
With all good wishes
Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE
Bruce’s Vet has replied:
Runnymede veterinary staff
Dear Bruce and Debbie,
Many thanks for the letter ‘Vets Get Scanning’.
It is written in our practice policy handbook that all new dogs and cats be scanned during their first visit to Runnymede. I will take time to remind all vets of protocol at this months practice meeting.
This protocol was in place when I joined the practice 2+1/2 years ago. I am unsure how long prior to this it was instigated. There may be older dogs on our books that have not been scanned.
It’s something I will give some thought to. I did like Brendans (Debbie’ Vet) idea of receptionists and nurses performing the scanning in the waiting room.
Good luck with the campaign.
Andy Wyles BVMS MRCVS.
Clinical Manager RHVH Egham.
Runnymede Hill Veterinary Hospital.
We will let you know if they start scanning dogs which have missed the initial first visit scan.
