Every dog parent in England will have to ensure that their pet is microchipped from April 2016, reportsthe BBC.
Source: @AdelaideVet
The new law is being put into action from April 6th 2016 and requires all dogs over the age of eight weeks to be fitted with a microchip.Any humanwhose dog is found without a chip could face fines of up to £500. Dog parents are also required to keep their personal details up to date on thedatabase.The government's aim is to reduce strays by reuniting lost dogs with their humans, as well as tracing stolen dogs. It has also been put in place in order to track down the parents of vicious dogs.
Source: @BBC
Government figures reveal that more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, which costs the taxpayer and welfare charities£57 million per year. It is hoped the change in the law willrelieve some of the burden on animal charities and local authorities. But more importantly, more strays will be reunited with their families.
Source: @Mirror
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson told the BBC:
It's ludicrous that in a nation of dog-lovers, thousands of dogs are roaming the streets or stuck in kennels because the owner cannot be tracked down. Microchipping is a simple solution that gives peace of mind to owners.
If your dog does not have a microchip then you will need to get one soon.
Source: @DogsTrust
Currently some animal charities, such asDogs Trust, Blue Cross and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, offer a free microchipping service to dog parents.The procedure costs about £20-£30 at a private veterinary clinic and involves inserting a sterile chip the size of a grain of rice between a dog's shoulder blades.
Source: @Pets4Homes
Your contact details such as name, personal address and mobile number will then be registered on a database so that you and your dog can be reunited in case of loss.
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