It is a legal requirement for you to have some form of identification on your dog, the most common form being a metal disc attached to the collar. However, a more permanent way of making your dog identifiable is with a small microchip, which is simply inserted under the skin by injection.
This microchip holds a number unique to your dog, which can then be read by a universal scanner. Dog rescue centres, dog wardens and vets scan every stray or unidentified dog brought into their possession. Your details are kept on a central computer, resulting in a quick and happy reunion should your dog become lost or involved in an accident.
Dog rescue societies have a legal obligation to keep a stray dog for 7 days after which it can be re-homed or even destroyed. Often it is an impossible task to trace the owner of a dog with no identification. If you are lucky enough to be reunited with your pet after days of searching rescue kennels, you may find your dog has incurred quite substantial kennelling fees which must be paid before the dog is released. This heartache and financial loss could be avoided by simply having your dog microchipped.
Your local Vets4Pets Veterinary Practice can give you further advice on looking after your pet. Please select your nearest practice from the list below.
