Compulsory microchipping

For several years the Microchip Alliance has been campaigning for compulsory microchipping for dogs, and this year things have started moving. As of this April, Northern Ireland has begun implementing compulsory microchipping, Wales has announced a consultation on breeding regulations including the subject and Defra has just launched a public consultation (Defra, 2012) into compulsory microchipping in England, the consultation closes on June 15th.

At the heart of microchipping is reunification, and the Microchip Alliance believes that through compulsory microchipping it can reduce the number of stray dogs. Quickly and successfully reuniting dogs with their owners can only help to relieve overwhelmed rescue centres. A collar can fall off or be removed, but a microchip is forever, and it is not uncommon to reunite a dog with its owner years after going missing.

Making microchips compulsory for dogs would mean more than just ensuring all dogs are microchipped — it would change the overall function of a microchip and could have implications on the processes veterinary nurses go through when they see dogs; it may become compulosry to scan all dogs on their first visit to the surgery. Veterinary practices may be required to further assist with reunifications and perhaps even to help reduce dog theft by scanning all new dogs registering with the practice to ensure they are with the registered owner; if not, the matter can be flagged to the database where systems will be in place to proceed with the matter further.