Is your dog's microchip info up to date?

Most people appreciate what an important device a dog's microchip is in reuniting a lost dog with it's owner, and also that microchipping dogs is the law in England, but how many people remember to keep their contact details up to date?

Having recently moved house ourselves and updated our own dogs' microchip info, we were shocked to see the stats on how many people just don't get around to getting it done, and how in some cases it has lead to owners of dogs being untraceable.

The Vet Times says

"Dogs Trust statistics show that more than 43,000 strays were reunited with their owners in 2015-6; a fifth of these as a direct result of a microchip, proving how important microchipping is in ensuring lost dogs are reunited with their owners.

The charity said 1 in every 8 of the 37,000 stray and abandoned dogs that remained unclaimed in local authority kennels last year couldn’t be reunited with their owners because they did not have up-to-date microchip details. This equates to 12 dogs every day at risk of being euthanized because forgetful owners had failed to update their details on the database."

Remember - it is important to keep both your address, and your phone number up to date.

Here's what The Kennel Club say about outdated microchip information

"... if an owner moves home or changes telephone number, these details should be updated. Failure to keep these details up to date means that, in the eyes of the law, the dog is no longer considered microchipped and a fine can apply."

So not only is it essential it order to aid your dog's safe return should it wander, it is also a legal requirement.

The importance of using a Government approved database

Did you know that you could be fined up to £500 if your dog isn't registered to a database on the Government's approved list? Here's a link to double check your database provider

Here's what The Dogs' Trust advise about microchip updates for new puppies

"If you have bought a puppy from a breeder, it is important that you apply for a transfer of keepership and register the puppy’s microchip details to your name and address. You will need to contact the correct microchip database to change the details.

It is a legal requirement for all breeders of puppies to microchip and register their own details prior to sale. The microchip MUST at first be registered to the breeder and it is breaking the law if the breeder offers to chip and register directly into your name."

So when moving house or changing telephone number please make updating your four-legged friend's microchip a priority.

Emma x

Ps. Please remember that even with a microchip, it is law that your dog wears a collar with an ID tag carrying your name and address when in a public place