Thousands of dog owners are set to face fines of several hundred pounds as more than 1million dogs have still not been micro-chipped before it becomes law to register pooches in just two days time.
By Wednesday all dogs must be micro-chipped under a new legal requirement which sees the creation of the National Canine Database.
The new measures aim to create a central database listing every dog in the UK, making every pet owner responsible for the registration of their pooch. It is hoped this will reduce the number of dogs being dumped as well as the lucrative black market trade in animals.
But despite efforts to publicise the new measures, it is estimated that more than 1million of the UK's 9million dogs have still not been microchipped.
But despite efforts to publicise the new measures, it is estimated that more than 1million of the UK's 9million dogs have still not been microchipped.
This leaves thousands of Britain's dog owners in danger of being fined up to £500 each for not getting their pet registered in time.
If yours is one of the 1million dogs, here's everything you need to know to meet the deadline.....
What does a microchip do?
The sterile microchip is roughly the size of a grain of rice and is implanted just under your dog’s skin between its shoulder blades.
Each chip contains a unique identification number that is listed on a national database which holds all the owner’s contact details such as their address and phone number.
If a dog is lost or dumped, a warden will be able to scan the chip and find the owner’s details immediately.
Lee Paris, campaigns manager at charity the Dogs Trust, says: “Having a dog microchipped should give owners peace of mind, because all dogs have the capacity to escape, no matter how responsible the owner is. This will make it much easier to reunite worried owners with their pets.”
Microchips have been a legal requirement in Northern Ireland since 2012, now England, Scotland and Wales are set to follow suit.
Why are microchips a legal requirement?
Nearly 120,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year and less than half of those are reunited with their owners.
That leaves local councils and animal welfare charities facing a £57million bill to care for and re-home these unfortunate animals. And nearly 7,000 dogs have to be put down each year because no-one can care for them.
Lee says: “The Dogs Trust and other charities are full to the brim. If we can’t take a dog from a local authority after seven days, they have to be put to sleep.
“The microchips could make a huge difference. If local councils can trace the owners within a day, it means we can focus on re-homing dogs that people are genuinely unable to care for any longer and are handed over responsibly.”
Microchipping will also combat the black market in stolen dogs, which is worth more than £100,000 a year in the UK. And it will help police prosecute the owners of dangerous dogs and make things harder for traffickers smuggling dogs into the country and bypassing strict quarantine laws.
What if I don’t have my dog micro-chipped?
You will be breaking the law. If you are stopped by a council or police officer and they discover your dog is not chipped you will be given an enforcement notice, giving you 21 days to comply with the law.
Fail to do so and you face a fine of up to £500.
Lee says: “You can’t drive without a licence and it will be a similar situation for dog owners. It will be your responsibility to make sure your pet is microchipped. ”
How can I get my dog microchipped?
Any vet will be able to do it. They normally charge £20 to £30. Local authorities can also fit a chip. Some do this for free, others charge a small fee.
The Dogs Trust has volunteered to fit microchips at its re-homing centres and community events.
The charity has now fitted nearly a million microchips, most since the new law was announced three years ago.
Lee says: “This month has definitely been the busiest we have seen for chipping pets as a lot of people have left it late to comply with the new law.
“We have a website www.chipmydog.org.uk with an interactive map to help people finding their nearest re-homing centre or community event.”
What impact will it have on my dog?
Some dogs who are nervous about visiting the vet may get a little stressed, but having a microchip implanted does not hurt.
It is no different to having an injection. Vets are used to chipping much smaller animals than dogs, but if you do have a small breed and are concerned, you can opt for a mini microchip.
Lee says: “I’m a squeamish person, but I’ve seen lots of dogs microchipped and most of them don’t even realise it has happened. It only takes a few seconds and the dogs are ready to go.”
Will my dog be microchipped when I get it from a breeder or re-homing centre?
The law requires every dog over eight weeks-old to be fitted with a microchip. Re-homing centres will chip a dog before finding it a new owner.
Breeders should too, as the law says the first registered owner for all dogs should be the breeder.
This will help prospective pet owners to find out whether the dog they are buying has come from an illegal puppy farm in this country or overseas.
Lee says: “There are lots of things people should do when buying a puppy.
“Buy from a Kennel Club registered breeder and ask to see the dog with its parents.
“But microchipping is something else they can ask about. If the dog they are buying isn’t chipped, they need to ask themselves whether something isn’t quite right.”
How often will my dog have to be microchipped?
Your dog only needs to be microchipped once as the chip will last its whole life. You just need to contact your database and tell them when you move home or change your phone number.
If you fail to keep those details up to date you face a £500 fine.
Lee says: “If you don’t update those details the microchip is completely useless.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dog-micro-chipping-law-see-7656425
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