The Shropshire Star recently reported on the case of Bizkit the Parson Jack Russell who was recently reunited with his owners over 6 years after he went missing in Toulouse, France thanks to his microchip.
Microchipping Facts
A microchip is a small transponder with a unique code about the size of a grain of rice which is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. Lost dogs are scanned for microchips and the transponder number will lead people to your details on a database so that you may be reunited with your dog.
- Since April 2016, all dogs must be microchipped and by 8 weeks of age.
- It is the owner’s responsibility and failure to comply could result in a £500 fine.
- It can act as a deterrent to dog theft
- Dogs who are likely to travel abroad need a microchip as part of the required identification to receive a Pet Passport.
Vets and veterinary nurses are normally qualified to implant microchips and many pets have their microchip implanted at the vets. Cost is roughly £15 – 20 but you should check with your vet for more details. Some charities such as The Dog’s Trust sometimes offer free microchipping events but they are very occasional. In some parts of the country mobile microchippers will attend your house to microchip you dog. It is very important to have microchip implantation done by a qualified individual as complications can arise if performed incorrectly.
As well as standard chips, some veterinary practices offer bio-therm microchips which can be used to read a pet’s temperature, removing the need to take it rectally.