No chip could lead to fine

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The Blue Cross is holding a free microchip clinic for owners of dogs and cats on Sunday April 24 from 10am until 3pm at the Tilling Green Community Centre in Mason Road.

A pet microchip is a tiny computer chip that is about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a unique code that matches up to your pet’s details and microchipping a dog is a quick and simple procedure.

The chip is inserted under a dog’s skin, usually around the scruff of the neck, using a needle. It takes seconds. Dogs can be checked for a microchip using a handheld electronic device, called a scanner. When this is waved over the dog’s neck, the scanner will recognise the unique information held inside the chip.

As of Wednesday last week, April 6, all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales must be microchipped and, as of that date, owners of dogs and puppies over the age of eight weeks must also have registered their pet’s microchip details on one of the authorised databases. These databases are run by private companies, not by the government or councils.

Dog owners are also required to keep their pet’s details up to date on the database under the new law. Owners who have not got their dog microchipped and registered with an approved database by April 6 now face a fine of up to £500 if caught.

The only exceptions to this law for pet dogs are those who a vet believes should not be chipped for health reasons. As well as being microchipped, it is still a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar and tag with the owner’s name and address on it when in a public place.

There is no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. You will need to provide proof of your address (your driving licence or a utility bill) and proof of ownership of your dog/cat (vaccination card, veterinary history, pedigree certificate, or dated photos of the animal growing up).

There is no charge for this service, but all donations offered will be gratefully received.

For further information about the free microchipping service, please call Blue Cross Northiam on 0300 7771510 , or Dan Lake on 07584435732 , or email daniellake8@hotmail.com.

This event has been organised and made possible by Tilling Green Residents Association.

Dan Lake is Chairman, Tilling Green Residents Association. Photo : KT Bruce

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