[doganjo]

Another blatant appeal for help to find Angel

[Polished Arrow]

So sorry to hear of this and I really, really hope that you can be reunited soon 

[doganjo]

Not mine, PA, friend of a friend - got huge coverage on Facebook and Twitter but no sightings - very strange.  Hoping the £3000 reward for information leading to her safe return will flush someone out.  So please everyone, share on any other forums, or with travellers if you know of any as they have a terrific network..  Much appreciated.

We are also encouraging this site and signing a petition to ask ALL vets to routinely scan for microchips when animals are brought in - http://www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk

1500 microchipped dogs disappear every year

[Sylvia]

My vet routinly checks, even pups that I have bred. Praying for  her safe return.

[funkyfish]

How awfull! Facebook is amazing for spreading the word!
The problem with scanning for chips is it takes about 15 mins to check the details an if the person said they have just bought the dog/ been given it, how can vets accuse people of stealing them? Also if vets tell the police will they be interested? Is it breach of confidentiality?

[Mammyshaz]

The scanning machine only comes up with a number code. The vet then must ring the appropriate microchip company which stores the details of who owns the animal with this chip number. There are two chip companies in our area so sometimes not just one call.
Only then will it be evident if the animal is stolen ( if the owner has reported it that is  ).

If this is done with every animal brought to the surgery then appointments would need extra 10-15 minutes added which means extra cost per consult.

It really is not practical at present to scan each animal. I look forward to the day the chip automatically gives owner details instead of a number but I think this is some time off yet. 

On reply to the post. I really hope she is found soon, the owner must be beside themselves with worry. There is always hope and some have been found months down the line. But I so, so hope she is found quickly 

[Old Shep]

Couldn't the vets receptionist do it?  After all if the details don't match the vets aren't going to keep the suspect hostage are they?  The receptionist could do it in a quiet moment and pass details to the chip company to follow up or the original owner? Chipping is pointless if there is no "policing" of it.

[Mammyshaz]

The receptionist would be following up every animal to check. We have 4 vets and 2 nurses consulting all day with a consult every 7 minutes. That's a lot of phone calls.

If all vets contacted the chip companies for every consult could the companies cope with the number of calls per minute?

The system is only designed for stray animals being reunited with the worried owner, at present.

[doganjo]

That's part of the problem though - if a stray animal is picked up by the dog warden (police) they only keep them in some circumstances for a  week and are then re-homed - in this case Angel has been missing fro almost 3 weeks.

The vets would only need to scan animals new to theri practice - not every one that comes for a check up or jab.  I really don't think it is too much to ask.  If you have a new dog visit presumably you take details to register it anyway?

[Mammyshaz]

All strays are scanned and the chip company contacted whether taken to police, kennels or vets, so it doesn't sound like she has been handed in anywhere as a stray 

It's so sad and worrying. Really hope she is home soon 

[doganjo]

Three strays have been handed in to local shelters in the last couple of weeks and not scanned!  None of them were Angel.