Dogs Trust on nationwide microchip tour

This article has 0 Comment(s)

DOGS Trust’s ‘chip van’ has just begun its two-month nationwide tour with the aim of convincing MPs to add compulsory microchipping to their animal welfare manifestos.
The charity estimates that a third of UK dogs are microchipped and wants to see the Control of Dogs Order amended to make microchipping compulsory alongside the current law which states that all dogs must wear a collar and identification tag.
Dogs Trust will be asking MPs to sign an Early Day Motion supporting this amendment. 

Humane

The charity believes that the most effective and humane way of reducing stray dog numbers is by microchipping.
A spokesman said that microchips helped 15 per cent of strays to be reunited with their owners last year and that the charity believes if microchipping was compulsory the figure would rise beyond 50 per cent.
Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin said: “Nearly 97,000 stray dogs were taken in by local councils in the UK last year, 6,710 of whom were put to sleep, many because they could not be reunited with their owners.
“We urgently want to see these figures decrease and believe that microchipping can aid the process.
“Microchipping is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner and it is the responsibility of the new owner to update the contact details of their dog to the central database – a simple and quick procedure.”
She said that research carried out by Dogs Trust has shown that 94 per cent of local authorities and 93 per cent of vets are in favour of compulsory microchipping and that more than 88 per cent of owners are in favour of compulsory microchipping.
The charity will microchip all dogs by appointment at any of their rehoming centres for £10 – or £5 for those on means-tested benefits.