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    • 29 Feb, 2016

    Microchipping March – Stay Together Forever

    Microchipping is a great way to make sure that you and your best friend can be reunited should the unthinkable ever happen, and your pet does go missing.

    Worryingly, there has also been a surge in pet theft recently, and by microchipping your companion, you can help to increase your chances of being rightfully reunited with your pet, should they ever be stolen from you.

    With the government passing the law on the 6th April 2016 that it is a legal requirement that ALL dogs are microchipped, we are launching Microchipping March at The Mayhew. Now really is the time to microchip your pet if you haven’t done so already.

    This month we are promoting the benefits of this small, but mighty, chip to encourage more owners to get their pets microchipped, and are offering free microchipping at BARK in the Park events across London during March in association with Brent Council.

    Getting your pet microchipped is a hallmark of responsible pet ownership, and not only is it quick, cheap and painless, but microchipping can also save you a lot of stress and worry should you ever be parted from your beloved pet.

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    In 2015, 40% of the stray dogs who came into us were not microchipped, and 35% of those who were microchipped did not have the owners’ up-to-date contact details. Out of the 242 stray cats that came into us, only a mere 9% were microchipped.

    At The Mayhew we can quickly reunite lost cats and dogs who are microchipped to their owners the next day, which not only helps to relieve the amount of homeless cats and dogs, but also increases your chances of being reunited with your pet, than if they are not microchipped and identifiable.

    Our Animal Welfare Manager, Zoe Edwards, sees hundreds of stray cats and dogs coming in to us every year who are not identifiable because they haven’t been microchipped.

    Zoe, says: “A microchip is as small as a grain of rice and is the only permanent way of identifying a pet. It ensures that a lost pet can be reunited quickly with its owner.”

    “Last year we successfully reunited 63 dogs and 16 microchipped cats and we urge pet owners to get their dogs and cats microchipped as quickly as possible.”

    Out of these 79 happily reunited pets, we shared the stories of Troy the Burmilla Cat and Jinks the Staffy.

    Stay together forever for FREE

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    In April, our Animal Welfare Officers are offering free microchipping for dogs at a BARK in the Park event in association with Brent Council, so there is no excuse for not getting your pooches chipped this month.

    This month’s event will take place on the following date:

    25th May, 11 am-1 pm – Hillside, Sunny Crescent NW10 0RE

    Compulsory microchipping for ALL dogs

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    On 6th April 2016, the law is changing so that it is compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped and registered on an authorised microchip database by the age of eight weeks and before being transferred to a new owner. Owners will also need to keep their contact details up-to-date.

    The Mayhew welcomes this new legislation as microchipping helps to quickly reunite lost pets to their owners and really saves a lot of stress, worry and time for pet owners. It also promotes responsible pet ownership, as dogs that are not being looked after or neglected can be traced back to the owner. Alarmingly, the number of cats and dogs stolen is rising year on year, and microchipping a pet helps to reunite stolen dogs and cats with their rightful owners.

    Microchipping FAQs

    What is microchipping?

    A tiny data chip is implanted into the dog or cat at the back of the neck. The procedure is similar to giving an injection and is harmless.

    How does microchipping work?

    The chip holds a unique code which links to a national 24-hour, secure database where the owner’s full contact details are registered. When a missing pet is found, the chip is scanned by an animal professional – local authority, animal welfare organisation or vet – who contacts the database to find the owner’s details. The owner is notified and reunited with their pet.

    After microchipping does my dog still have to wear a collar?

    Yes, it is still a legal requirement for your dog to wear a collar and ID tag that states your full name and address.

    How much does microchipping cost?

    Microchipping is cheap to do. Our vet and nurse clinics provide a low cost microchipping service as well as other care treatments for your pet.

    What is the penalty for not microchipping my dog?

    If you do not microchip your dog after 6th April 2016, as the dog owner, you will be served with a notice requiring your dog to be microchipped. You may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if you do not comply with the notice.

    We have also put together an advice article addressing some of the most common concerns people may have about getting their pet microchipped, read more here.
    [link type=”primary” text=”Microchip Your Pet” url=”https://www.themayhew.org/animal-welfare/vet-clinic/microchipping/”]

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