AS DORSET pet owners welcome in the New Year, one of the biggest shake-ups is set to transform dog ownership in the next few months.
Strict new laws introduced in April will make it compulsory for all dogs in England to be microchipped.
Owners failing to do so could be fined as part of the new rules, which have been broadly welcomed by animal welfare charities.
According to a Dog’s Trust survey in 2014, modern technologies like microchipping accounted for more than 10,000 dogs being reunited with their owners that year and it says that figure is growing.
However, its research last month found one in five owners are still unprepared for the upcoming legal change.
It also found that 45 per cent of them had not chipped their dogs, either because they didn’t know how or where to do so or simply did not know they had to.
All dogs must be chipped and registered with a recognised database by April 6.
From then on, if an animal is not microchipped its owners could face a fine of up to £500.
All breeders must microchip their puppies by eight-weeks-old and before they are transferred to a new keeper, who will be responsible for updating it with their details.
Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, which has a clinic in Bournemouth, said the procedure is fast and painless.
He said: “If all owners microchip their pets it will make re-uniting lost pets and their owners a much easier process.
“But for the time being it’s important that dog owners are aware of the new legislation and have enough time to microchip their pet.
“A sterile microchip is inserted painlessly under the skin between the dog’s shoulder blades and takes seconds to complete, meaning a dog can be in and out of a practice within a few minutes.
“Dog rescue centres, dog wardens and vets scan every stray or unidentified dog that is presented to them. An owner’s details are kept on a central computer, resulting in a quick and happy reunion should a dog become lost.
“But owners must make sure that if they change their telephone number or move house that these details are updated on the central database; details of how to do this will be sent with the registration certificate.”
Dr Samantha Gaines, of the RSPCA’s companion animals department, said the new law was a step in the right direction. which would help re-unite stray or lost dogs with their owners more quickly. But she said the critical issue was ensuring people keep their details up to date. “This has been a real challenge in the past and we remain to be convinced this will improve significantly,” she said.