Owners required to microchip their dogs by April

Dog owners in Powys are being reminded that they have until April to microchip their pets before new regulations come into force. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015 will come into force on Wednesday 6 April and will require all dogs over eight weeks old to be microchipped and the keepers’ details registered on an approved database. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new regulations were approved by the National Assembly of Wales last autumn. Powys County Council want dog owners to be prepared for when the regulations come into force. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection, said: “I would encourage all dog owners who have not already had their dogs’ microchipped to do so as soon as they can. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Pet owners are far more likely to be reunited with their animals if they are lost, stolen or injured if they have been microchipped. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Microchipping is a simple procedure involving the implantation of a small microchip under the skin of an animal using a needle. The unique reference number stored on the microchip must then be registered on a corresponding database with the contact details of the animal’s keeper or owner.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dogs will still be required by law to wear a collar and tag with the owner’s name and contact details on it when it is in a public place after compulsory microchipping is introduced. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For further information about microchipping, please contact your vet or a suitably trained pet care specialist. Some third sector organisations are also able to offer support to help individuals get their dogs microchipped. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​