ELAINE MURRAY MSP SUPPORTS KENNEL CLUB CAMPAIGN TO HELP SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOGS EACH YEAR THROUGH MICROCHIPPING
Written by author on June 23, 2014
That over 8,000 dogs could be saved if dog owners ‘Chip it, Check it’ has been highlighted by the Kennel Club and Elaine Murray MSP.
The organisation, the UK’s largest dedicated to dog welfare, has said that by microchipping dogs and keeping personal details up to date, thousands of otherwise doomed dogs could be identified and reunited with their owners instead of facing possible destruction in the pound.
Elaine highlighted the importance of microchipping and checking contact details are up to date as part of the Kennel Club’s National Microchipping Month during an event in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, aimed to raise awareness of the new ‘Chip it, Check it’ education campaign.
A consultation held recently by the Scottish Government sought views on the introduction of compulsory microchipping. Elsewhere in England and Wales, regulations are currently being brought forward to place a requirement on owners to have their dogs microchipped and registered on one of the databases available. Owners will also be expected to be responsible for ensuring the information is kept up to date in order to have the best chance of reuniting them with their pet. It is hoped that Scotland will also introduce similar regulations.
Speaking about the event, the Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Muray said:
“National Microchipping Month is an ideal occasion to highlight the many benefits of microchipping. Campaigns like ‘Chip it, Check it’ serve as a vital reminder to all pet owners to check that their information is up to date on the microchip database which will assist in reuniting owners with dogs that have strayed and will help to reduce the stress for both the dog and owner alike. Other important benefits include reducing the time a dog will spend in animal welfare establishments or local authority kennels leading to savings for local authorities and welfare charities”.
The Kennel Club is dedicated to reuniting dog and owner through its reunification database Petlog, the UK’s largest lost and found database for microchipped pets, and holds National Microchipping Month each June to educate those involved with dogs on the benefits of microchipping.
Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko commented “The introduction of a requirement to permanently identify a dog through compulsory microchipping would go a long way towards improving the current situation surrounding stray dogs by reducing the need for unidentified lost dogs to be rehomed or euthanised. The Kennel Club views regulation as a positive step forward for responsible dog ownership and thanks Elaine for her support in promoting dog welfare”.
