Dog Owners: Please Keep Microchip Details Up To Date

Since April 2016 it has been a legal requirement that dogs are microchipped and that the keepers’ contact details on the microchip are kept up to date. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Recent research by animal charity Dogs Trust shows that in 2015/16 more than 4,700 stray dogs in the UK couldn’t be reunited with their owners due to outdated details. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, said: “Despite microchipping becoming compulsory earlier this year, dogs are still arriving at Cardiff Dogs Home without microchips, or with incorrect details stored on the chips, every day.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“These recent figures from the Dogs Trust highlight just how hard it can be to reunite dogs with their owners without this information. I would urge all dog owners to check the contact details stored on their dogs’ chip and if they haven’t had their pet chipped yet, to take advantage of the microchipping service at Cardiff Dogs Home.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dogs can be microchipped at Cardiff Dogs Home on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday in return for a small donation (recommended donation £5) to cover staff time and administrative costs. All microchips are provided free of charge by the Dogs Trust. Assistance is also available at the Dogs Home for any owners who are unsure how to check their dogs’ microchip details. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Owners who fail to microchip their dogs may be served with a notice requiring their dog to be microchipped. If they fail to comply they could face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dogs are still required to wear a collar and tag when in a public place. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​