[doganjo]

FREE microchipping events across the UK - http://www.chipmydog.org.uk/ - Please share this with anyone who needs to get their dog microchipped.

[sokel]

I do all of my own  myself through pet detect 

[happygolucky]

Nice that there is something both free and very useful, ours have been chipped.   

[doganjo]

Chipping is soon going to be compulsory in England and Wales, and probably Scotland too

What Vets don’t tell you is that they will not scan all new dogs registering at their practices for microchips because of data protection issues and they don’t have the time to check details of the registered keeper. What this means is that if your dog is stolen and sold on to an unsuspecting new owner when they go to a Vet, the dog will not be scanned because an owner is present and consequently you won’t get your dog back home! The whole microchipping system in place today seriously needs over-hauling.

Once a dog has been in the council’s care for more than 7 days they can in effect do what they want, sell or put to sleep! There is as yet no statutory obligation to scan for microchips.  There is a new scanner (Halo) which shows stolen or lost numbers when an animal is scanned, but they are expensive so most vets won't have them.  The legislation hopes to make it compulsory for vets to scan new animals to theri practice.

[Sbom]

Thanks for that  have marked the calendar and will be taking ours along to the Shrewsbury session   

[plumseverywhere]

Murphy was chipped today at Dogs Trust! didn't flinch. Glad its done 

[happygolucky]

Although our dogs are done, its not expensive either,  I cannot see any thing just yet about Scotland, I actualy was chatting to a vet today, we both are not keen on young pups being chipped before they are sold but certainly after 3 mths old, with the new owners details, it can only help re home dogs that are lost or stolen!!

[deepinthewoods]

problem is, professional dog thieves can and do remove the chips.

[happygolucky]

so true, DITW they  probably chip them again too, bit like paying for a fake MOT or passport.

[doganjo]

problem is, professional dog thieves can and do remove the chips.

Perhaps but it is rare enough for it not to be a reason not to have your dog microchipped.  And I agree they should NOT be done at 8 weeks, 3 months is young enough - but younger dogs are being stolen too so never leave a dog unattended. There are often stories about ears being cut off tattooed dogs too (mainly stolen greyhounds/lurchers/longdogs - but again this is rare.  No-one would buy them with their ears cut off.
The ideal would be tattooing inside the rear leg as a 6 week old puppy. A few seconds of pain, but as soon as the pup goes back to mum it settles.
The Scottish Parliament have been discussing chipping too.