MICROCHIPPING
Microchips are essential in making sure pets are reunited with their owners, helping to reduce the number of pets in welfare centres and waiting to be rehomed. And in 2016 microchips will be compulsory for dog owners, a legislation formed to ensure that all dogs can be traced back to their owners. This follows an announcement by government ministers that dog owners will face fines of up to £500 if they don't get puppies and dogs microchipped.
After microchipping your pet, it is essential to keep your contact information updated; if you move to a new house for example, you need to make sure your microchip supplier is informed.
How is my pet microchipped?
Microchips are tiny computer chips, about the size of a grain of rice. They are implanted under your pet’s skin by a veterinary surgeon using a large bore needle, like a simple vaccination. Each microchip carries a registration number that is associated with the owner’s name and contact information. This information is added to a pet registry service offered by the chip manufacturer, we are a practice affiliated with Identibase.
The registry information on the chips can be read using a handheld reader that displays the information so that the owner can be identified. Most shelters and Vet Practices have these readers and can scan the pet and contact the owner if the pet is lost. This service can be provided by our Veterinary Surgeon or our Registered Veterinary Nurses at a cost of £20.