There are two parts to the new legislation on microchipping in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 that take place on the 6th April 2016 that we want to ensure you are aware of
- Dog owners in England will have to have their pet microchipped from the 6th April 2016
- Owners need to maintain up to date contact details on an authorised commercial database
Owners that don’t comply could face fines of up to £500 with local authorities and the police ensuring the law is enforced.
What are microchips?
A microchip is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades. It is coated in a special glass, the same as used in human pacemakers, to ensure it doesn’t cause any discomfort and is not rejected by the dogs body. The microchip contains a unique fifteen digit number, which is then linked to your details on an authorised database. The details on the database are accessible 24hrs a day, 365days a year, so that if your dog is scanned by a handheld scanner their unique number will be read and the database can be contacted to identify your pet and yourself.
How do I check my details are correct on the data base?
The authorised UK Database we use is PetLog 0844 4633999, you will need to have your microchip number to hand. If you are unsure please come in and we would be happy to scan your dog and provide you with the number.
