Dog owners are being reminded that it is a legal requirement to microchip their dogs and ensure the details stored on the microchip are up to date. Failure to do so could lead to a prosecution and fine.  
 

This appeal, which comes in the run up to National Check the Chip Day (August 15) especially applies to dog owners who have recently moved to a new house or acquired a new phone number. 

People who have bought a puppy or taken on a rescue dog either from home or abroad are also advised to check their contact details are correct on the microchip database. 

If you don't know the company your dog ‘s microchip is registered with you can find out online at www.check-a-chip.co.uk  

If you have misplaced your dog’s microchip number you can get your dog scanned for free at your local vets 

Back in 2016, the Government brought in the new ruling that all dogs must be microchipped in a bid to help tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets and to relieve the burden on animal charities and local authorities.  

Micro-chipping is a painless procedure that involves a small chip being implanted under the dog’s skin. It has a unique identification number, linked to a secure national database, on which the owner’s name and address is stored. It can be done by a vet or by the county council. 

Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Looking after our Communities said: 

“When people move, they usually remember to contact their banks and utilities providers with new address details, but they often forget to update their pet’s microchip details. This is also the case when they change their phone numbers.” 

“The county council’s Animal Welfare Team deal with hundreds of strays each year. They work very hard to keep unsupervised animals off the street as they can pose a danger to themselves and to public safety as we have seen many times recently in the news. 

“Microchips are extremely important for keeping your pets safe and are the first thing we check when our animal welfare officers pick up a stray. Sadly, in a lot of cases the information stored is out of date so we can’t get them home.” 

Dog owners need to ensure they’ve taken all the necessary steps to be a responsible owner; this includes a collar with identification and registering their pet with one of the national microchip databases.  Once your dog is chipped, please keep your contact details up to date especially if you move or change phone number. 

A vet can microchip your dog, or you can contact the council’s animal welfare team who will chip your dog for a £10 charge.