Compulsory microchipping for dogs – 90% say yes
Almost 90% of the British public think that microchipping dogs should be compulsory, claims a survey by Petlog, the UK’s largest lost and found pet database.
Today (Friday June 15th) a public consultation into compulsory microchipping draws to a close, it proposes utilising microchips to help tackle the issue of dangerous dogs. Interestingly however, the survey showed that the main reason for compulsory microchipping should be to help speed up the return of a lost pet, although 38% of those who are in favour of compulsory microchipping also thought it would help to tackle dangerous dogs.
Celia Walsom, Petlog Executive said: “The results from this survey were very promising and showed that there is huge support out there for compulsory microchipping. I hope that the public consultation demonstrates the true extent of public support and that Defra will seriously take this on board.
“Unfortunately, press coverage surrounding compulsory microchipping has been focusing on the issue of dangerous dogs and has ignored the main objective of a microchip which is reunification.
“The microchip is a fantastic way to identify pets, alongside other methods such as a collar and tag. But unlike the collar and tag a microchip is permanent, so no matter how long a pet has been missing they can still be traced back to their original owner. Earlier this year we reunited a cat called Buster with his owner after 5 years of him going missing.”
The Microchipping Alliance which comprises animal welfare charities, veterinary organisations, assistance dog charities, dog membership organisations and others who are impacted by dog issues, released a briefing at the end of last year that looked into the economic consequences of compulsory microchipping. The briefing states that if compulsory microchipping was to be introduced to all dogs there is a potential saving of over £20 million from reduced kennelling and other costs associated with stray dogs.
Celia continued: “The reasons for compulsory microchipping are strong. We at Petlog along with the Microchip Alliance and a number of other organisations want to see microchipping made compulsory to help dog welfare and reduce the number of dogs needlessly rehomed or put to sleep because they couldn’t be reunited with their owner.”
Petlog conducted the survey using visitors to the London Pet Show to find out public feeling regarding compulsory microchipping. This month is National Microchipping Month, an initiative run by Petlog to promote the benefits of microchipping to pet owners and also encourage people to make sure that their contact details are up to date.
It’s not too late to have your say, Petlog would like to know what you think about microchipping. To have your say complete the following questionnaire: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Petlogmicrochipping.
For more information about microchipping visit www.nationalmicrochippingmonth.org.uk.
ENDS
[194.12]
14th June 2012
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www.thekennelclub.org.uk
Notes To Editors
Petlog
Petlog is the UK’s largest lost and found database for microchipped pets and is owned and managed by the Kennel Club.
Petlog holds the details of over 6.2 million animals and their owners and every month around 60,000 animals are added to the database.
Petlog manages and operates the 24/7 central reunification telephone service and last year answered over 140,000 calls in relation to lost and found pets.
Petlog after care service line staff answered a further 125,000 calls from vets, owners, animal wardens, animal welfare centres and police last year
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.
It runs the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK’s largest reunification service for microchipped animals. The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is the only scheme in the UK that monitors and sets standards for breeders, in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs the UK’s largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Discover Dogs event at Earls Court, London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy responsibly and care for their dog.
The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health.
The Microchip Alliance
Members of the Microchipping Alliance include: Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, BVA, Cats Protection, Communication Workers Union, Dog Theft Action, Dogs Trust, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Kennel Club, PDSA, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, RSPCA, Vets Get Scanning and Wood Green Animal Shelter.
To view the Microchip Alliance briefing click here: www.microchippingalliance.com/MA2/downloads/Briefing.pdf
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- 15-Jun-12
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