Scotland’s commitment to a compulsory microchipping consultation brings Petlog’s 10th National Microchipping Month to an end on a high.   

Pet owners have been taking advantage of reduced price microchipping and updating their contact details with their microchip databases throughout June.

The response to National Microchipping Month has been overwhelming and sponsors Petlog has seen one of the busiest years since the campaign began.

Now, the news that the Scottish Government will be consulting on compulsory microchipping for dogs by the end of the year brings a welcome close to a successful month. 
       
Petlog executive Celia Walsom strongly supports compulsory microchipping and is enthusiastic about the benefits to society with a nation of microchipped pets.

“It was announced earlier this year that both England and Wales are to introduce compulsory microchipping for dogs," she said.

"This, combined with the news Scotland is to host a consultation on compulsory microchipping, is great news for dogs.

"Each year thousands of dogs go missing and many can never be reunited as they do not have a permanent form of identification. A microchip helps reunite a dog and owner no matter how far away they find themselves or how long they have been missing.       

“Compulsory microchipping is also great news for welfare organisations, dog wardens and veterinary surgeries; if all lost pets that came to them were microchipped, it would save time and money as they could quickly reunite, instead of having to kennel and rehome.”

At the annual BVA Scottish Dinner in Holyrood guest speaker Richard Lochhead said that the Scottish Government would be consulting on it by the end of the year. This follows the announcement that microchipping for dogs will be compulsory for dogs in England by April 2016 and in Wales by April 2015.

Earlier this month, the Kennel Club, which manages Petlog, hosted a House of Commons debate to discuss the implications of compulsory microchipping in England The debate attracted a range of stakeholders, MPs and ministers.     
    
Petlog, the UK’s largest database for lost and found pets, aims to educate pet owners around the country and encourage them to engage with their vets and microchip databases to learn more about microchipping and how it directly affects them and their pet.