You could be forgiven for mistaking Dogcilla – a 3-metre high, sunshine-yellow dog – for one of Jeff Koons’ kitsch outsize works of art. In fact, she is a four-tonne mutt on a mission. The Dogs Trust mascot is currently touring the country to highlight the dog charity’s free micro-chipping events. Not many dog charities have such an ambitious vision.
Wherever Dogcilla goes (and she has travelled the equivalent of the Earth’s circumference 5.8 times in her quest to get dogs across the UK microchipped) free microchips will be available to local dog owners.
Compulsory microchipping will become law in England, Wales and Scotland on 6th April 2016, which means it will be a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped with their up-to-date registered details.
“For many years Dogs Trust has campaigned to bring about the introduction of compulsory microchipping and registration,” says Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust. “Microchipping is the most effective permanent way to assist in a lost dog being returned to their owner, which in turn reduces the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep.”
Just to be clear, a microchip does not replace a traditional collar and tag. “To ensure lost dogs have the best possible chance of being swiftly reunited with their families,” says Boyden, “It is imperative that owners ensure their dog always wears a collar and a tag displaying their contact details, and that they keep their microchip database details up to date.”
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity has committed to ensuring dog owners have access to free microchipping at drop-in events across the country and at their 20 Rehoming Centres across the UK and Ireland before it becomes compulsory in a month’s time. If you haven’t done it yet, now is the time. Click here for details.
