14 | PET GAZETTE | TALKING POINT
MICROCHIPPING
Should compulsory microchipping be expanded to cover pets other than dogs ? Experts share their views
very year thousands of the
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UK ’ s animal lovers will find their pets have strayed or been stolen . When compulsory microchipping for dogs was introduced in April 2016 , it was estimated that around 102,000 canine companions were being rescued from the streets each year . The new measures were a bid to reunite more lost dogs with their owners . The Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ) hoped that compulsory microchipping would save charities and local authorities as much as £ 33 million annually in feeding and kenneling . Speaking at the time , the then-animal welfare minister George Eustice said : “ Every responsible dog owner wants to know their pet is safe . Microchipping will not only reunite people with their lost or stolen pets , but also help to tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets and relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities . We are a nation of dog lovers and microchipping is crucial for both good dog welfare and to provide dog owners with peace of mind .”
Although these regulations only extend to dogs , there is nothing to prevent owners arranging microchipping for other pets . At the time of writing , The Lost Pet Database Register lists 2,049 dogs , 14,554 cats and 274 rabbits plus ferrets to exotics and birds as missing . When pets are found , a microchip registered to the owner will increase the animals ’ chances of returning home . With this in mind , a number of organisations , such at Cats Protection , have recommended that microchipping be extended to cover pets other than dogs . This issue , Pet Gazette has asked a selection of organisations from around the sector to share their views .
BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT GUDRUN RAVETZ :
“ Microchipping is safe and effective and provides pets with a form of identification that lasts a lifetime , encouraging responsible ownership and enabling reunification of strays with their owners .
“ BVA was a founding member of the Microchipping Alliance that campaigned for all dogs to be microchipped and figures from our Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey show the positive impact of microchipping legislation one year on ; revealing that more than two-thirds of UK vets are now able to reunite at least half the strays brought into their practice , up from just 52 percent before the microchipping legislation came into place . Microchipping for pets other than dogs , such as rabbits and cats , could thus be considered .
“ BVA members are telling us that out of date or incorrect information on microchipping databases is now the most common reason why vets are unable to reunite strays , so we ’ d encourage all pet owners to ensure their details are up to date to avoid the heartache of a lost pet .”
BECKY THWAITES , HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS , BLUE CROSS :
“ At Blue Cross we agree that legislation for compulsory microchipping of cats is the next step and it is something that Blue Cross and other organisations have raised with government previously . It ’ s a serious concern as last year , 78 percent of cats helped by Blue Cross were not microchipped . By their very nature cats roam and they are more likely to stray away from their homes sometimes becoming lost or worse , ending up in road traffic accidents . Reuniting nonmicrochipped cats or cats with out-of-date details is practically impossible .
“ As well as making microchipping of cats compulsory , we believe it is important that all local authorities and veterinary practices have scanners , particularly in situations of road traffic accidents . Our charity advises all pet owners to microchip , whatever species , to ensure beloved animals can be reunited should they stray or become lost .”
www . petgazette . biz August 2017