The importance of microchipping for dogs
Doggy Day Care at the Willows
When a beloved pet goes missing it can be an incredibly traumatic experience. In the UK, animal shelters are full of unidentified lost pets. Microchipping is an important form of pet identification and can become a crucial way to reunite you with your lost dog. In this blog, we explain how microchip identification works, along with some practical advice for owners.
“The return-to-owner rate for dogs is 2.5 times higher for microchipped pets”
Science Daily
How does microchipping dogs work?
Microchips are tiny implantable computer chips with a unique identification number, which is registered in a central database. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip is placed under your dog’s skin using a needle and syringe. Usually, the chip is placed at the back of your dog’s neck between the shoulder blades, which is completely harmless. The process is safe and quick, similar to giving your dog a vaccination.
When a lost dog is scanned by a microchip detector at an animal shelter or veterinary practice, the unique identification number is revealed. It works by receiving a radio signal from the scanner, which then transmits the encoded microchip identification number back to the scanner.
The owners can be found
Once the microchip number has been identified, the dog owner’s contact information can be found in a central database. The Gov.uk website has a list of registered and approved pet databases for microchipping. Always use a trained professional to fit your dog’s microchip. Your local vet, council or an animal rehoming centre often provides this type of service, and they will also advise you on the relevant database.
In the UK, you can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped before they are 8-weeks old.
The benefits of microchip identification
Microchipping for dogs can be an essential tool when trying to locate your pet. The biggest benefit is the fact that unlike ID tags and collars, microchips cannot fall off or break. Thanks to microchipping, thousands of lost dogs have been successfully reunited with their owners.
Make a note of the database that lists your dog’s microchip identification number. Always ensure your contact details are kept up to date and it’s also worth adding additional emergency contact details. Should the worst happen, and you ever need to find your pet, this will give you greater peace of mind that they can be quickly located.
Microchipping gives you peace of mind
At Doggy Daycare at the Willows we believe strongly in making sure your dog has all the protection they need. We may ask you if your dog has been microchipped and we won’t allow dogs that have not had the necessary vaccinations.
Did you know that we now have two sites for our doggy day care services? As well as our original site in Elmesthorpe, we now have a second doggy day care service in Dunton Bassett. Our fully trained Doggy Daycare Assistants are here to look after your dog when you’re out all day, and we also offer dog grooming services.
Interested in finding out more about our doggy day care services? Get in touch to speak to our friendly team.
Thank you for reading our latest blog, How to make vet visits less stressful and calmer for your dog.