Is your pet microchipped?
June marks “National Microchipping Month”!
Did you know as per the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 all dogs over the age of eight weeks old in Scotland must be microchipped. From the 10th of June 2024 it became a legal requirement for all cats over 20 weeks of age to be microchipped, so Scotland may soon follow suit with this.
A microchip is the size of a grain of rice, and it only takes a few minutes to implant, and lasts a lifetime.
It is important to make sure all your details are kept up to date so if your pet does get lost you can be contacted to get them back. Especially for cats as it can be hard to trace owners of cats, more so if they have strayed a bit further – cats have been known to end up in work vans and taken to different areas! If a dog is found straying, they will likely be taken either to the nearest vet practice, a police station or be picked up by the dog warden where they would immediately be scanned for a microchip – where you can then be contacted and reunited!
There are some fantastic stories of pets who have been missing for years and eventually reunited due to their microchip, which is amazing!
We would recommend for all pets that are able to be microchipped, to be so, even house cats.
If your pet is lost, you can also contact your microchip company who will send out an automatic alert to veterinary practices to be aware of.
Remember, if you move house or change your number, to update your details with the microchip company. You can check your microchip details are up to date by visiting: www.check-a-chip.co.uk.
Call us today on 01324 829989 to get your pet booked in for a microchip if they don’t already have one!
