VETS GET SCANNING has campaigned as part of the Microchipping Alliance to make permanent identification compulsory for all dogs since 2009. The Microchipping Alliance comprises a number of animal welfare charities, assistance dog charities, veterinary organisations, dog membership organisations, and other organisations affected by dog issues, and today welcomed the Government’s long-awaited announcement.
This together with the new guidelines from RCVS, will give hope to all the owners of missing microchipped dogs.
The Kennel Club has today pledged to gift microchip scanners to every local authority in England and Wales in support of the government’s decision to umplement compulsory microchipping of dogs in England and Wales.
Dogs Trust, Battersea and Blue Cross will all be offering free microchipping at their centres until April 2016. Vets will also be getting free microchips provided by Dogs Trust (some will chip your dog for free, others may charge a small fee). After April 2016, it will be compulsory to have your dog microchipped.
UPDATE FROM RCVS 5th November’12.
Using microchips to help reunite animals with their owners
14.15 Microchips are implanted in companion animals to assist with their return if lost or stolen and veterinary surgeons are frequently the first point of contact for those owners whose animals are missing.
14.16 A microchip may be scanned in circumstances where, for example, the animal has been lost or is a stray, is suspected that the animal has been stolen, or where a client is unaware that the animal has been microchipped; veterinary surgeons are encouraged to take appropriate steps to reunite the animal with the owner.
14.17 If it is suspected that the animal is stolen, veterinary surgeons or the owner may involve the police.
Ownership disputes
14.18 An ownership dispute may arise where a client presents an animal with a microchip registered in another person’s name.
14.19 If a client declines to consent to the release of his or her name and contact details, a veterinary surgeon may breach client confidentiality to pass the necessary information to the original owner.
Thank you to all the team especially Clarissa Baldwin and Laura Vallance at Dog Trust for keeping this on track.
