2016 New Law

This doesn't affect me as Flo is chipped but I wonder how many people aren't aware of this law change !

Mind you the title says laws... I only read about the one but that's usual for our local rag

http://www.suttonguardian.co.uk/news/14179943.The_tough_new_dog_laws_coming_in_this_year_that_one_in_five_owners_are_totally_unprepared_for/?ref=mr&lp=2

It's going to be interesting to see how this works on the ground. Most responsible owners have their dogs chipped already, and irresponsible ones won't do it anyway. And if their dog strays and ends up in the pound, they'll be less likely to go and find it if they think they'll end up getting a £500 fine. But hopefully as time passes it should help thefts and strays. Hopefully.

No getting mia chipped shes too old now guess im irresponsible too its no the cost thats bothering me just her age

I'd get her done, Crystal. Not only from the legality point of view but just for safety's sake. We have some lovely old dogs who arrive at the centre as strays and when they're not chipped there is no way of finding the owner. We have 12 year old Hattie, for example, and I keep thinking that her owner must be distraught at having lost her.

To be honest I don't think they even really feel it in the scruff when it goes in.

there has been a lot of people posting it on social media sites so no excuse for not knowing,and a lot of pet shops and vets are advertising it for free or reduced costs

Gizmo and his littermates were all chipped at 8 weeks so I was lucky. Also, I'm pretty sure the lady who owns his parents would willingly take back any dogs that got picked up by the warden if the details on the barcode hadn't been updated.

How do chips help owners find their dogs again if they've been stolen? I don't completely understand that one.

They can prove who a dog was last registered to, so if you have someone who claims it's theirs the microchip can show otherwise. It can prove that it really is that dog, not another who just happens to look the same as is sometimes claimed. You get cases of dogs being stolen for sale, for example, and then the microchip being scanned later by a vet.

There's a web site called http://www.doglost.co.uk where you can register details and it also has links to the microchip register too. It's also free to use which makes things easier when you're already in a stressful situation