Microchips play an important part in helping us to keep our pets safe. It’s a worrying time if pets go missing, but if they have a microchip, they can be reunited with us much quicker.
A microchip identifies that your pet belongs to you. It contains a number that corresponds to your details which are stored on a central database. Vets, dog wardens and animal charities have scanners to check whether any animal brought into them has a microchip.
The microchip itself is only the size of a grain of rice. It takes a few seconds to insert under the skin at the back of your pet’s neck. Once in place, you and your pet won’t know it’s there!
Hopefully you’ll never need to use the microchip but it’s reassuring to know your pet has one if they do go missing. If you move house, or change your phone number, remember to inform the microchip database company so they can update your records.
Lost pets
Pets go missing for all sorts of reasons; dogs may bolt out of the front door when you take a delivery, escape-artist rabbits can break out of their hutch or cats can hitch rides in cars and vans. When your pet is found, it will most likely be taken to a local vet practice or a charity rescue home. One quick scan of the microchip and a phone call later, and your pet is back where they belong – with you!
Stolen pets
It’s an unfortunate reality that some pets are stolen to order and resold. If your pet is microchipped it can act as a deterrent to thieves.
Accidents
Injured pets are always scanned as soon as they arrive at a veterinary practice for emergency treatment. We can access the database quickly and reunite you with your pet in no time.
Microchips and the law
- It’s a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped in England, Wales and Scotland.
- It’s illegal for breeders to sell puppies over eight weeks old that are not microchipped and registered on a database.
- There is no legal requirement to microchip other pets, but animal charities, and us here at Avonvale, strongly advise it.
If you want to know more about getting your pet microchipped, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any questions. There’s also some information available on the Government website which you may find useful https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped
