Dogs Trust Ilfracombe has issued an urgent reminder for dog owners to update their pets’ microchip details as part of its annual ‘Check the Chip Day’ campaign. Held every August 15, this initiative emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining current microchip information to facilitate the swift reunion of lost dogs with their owners.
Recent data from the Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey underscores the necessity of this reminder. The survey reported that local authority dog wardens managed approximately 35,078 stray dogs last year, a troubling increase from previous years. Alarmingly, over a quarter (26%) of these dogs could not be returned to their owners due to outdated or incorrect microchip information.
Elise Watson, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, stressed the significance of accurate microchip details. “Access to correct microchip information is vital for reuniting lost dogs with their families,” Watson explained. “Each year, numerous dogs go missing, causing distress for both the pets and their owners. Keeping your contact details up to date greatly enhances the likelihood of a prompt reunion. It’s a simple yet effective step every dog owner can take to safeguard their beloved pets.”
Since 2016, it has been a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and for the microchip to be linked to the owner’s current contact information. Despite this, a notable number of stray dogs each year remain unclaimed, either due to the absence of a microchip or outdated details.
In addition to microchipping, it is also mandatory for dogs to wear a collar and tag displaying the owner’s name and address when in public.
Dogs Trust Ilfracombe is utilizing ‘Check the Chip Day’ to reinforce the importance of this straightforward yet essential task. The center recently cared for Foxy, a one-year-old Terrier found as a stray without a microchip. After several months of searching, Foxy was eventually placed in a permanent home, where he now enjoys a tranquil life away from busy roads—a happy ending that might have been achieved sooner with proper microchipping.
The charity urges all dog owners to take a moment today to check and update their contact information on their dog’s microchip database. This small action can make a significant difference in ensuring a joyful outcome for lost dogs and their families.
