Benefits of Microchipping

 

Microchipping also has a number of other welfare benefits, including:

 

• All puppies are traceable to their breeder thereby helping reduce the problem of puppy farming and lessening the incidence of infectious disease and inherited defects from which many of these dogs suffer
• Deterrent to dog theft
• Allows for rapid return, meaning that local authorities are able to emphasise to the dog owners concerned that straying is not acceptable, the intention being that this education will lessen the likelihood of a dog straying again and reinforce the responsibilities of the owners under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Easier identification and subsequent arrests of owners culpable of animal cruelty
• Enables veterinary surgeons to contact dog owners for emergency procedures
• Allows identification of dogs in properties in emergency situations so that dogs and owners can be moved and reunited more quickly
• All domestic cats must now be microchipped.

 

Who will enforce this?

 

Local authorities, the police, dog wardens and vets will all have scanners (most do already). Any dog that is found straying or reported for dangerous behaviour can then be traced back to the owner.  If the authorities come across a dog after 2016 that does not have a microchip the owner will be required to have it chipped urgently or face a fi