5 dogs a day go missing in the UK
Petlog reports that there are currently 70,000 pets missing in the UK. 16,122 dogs were reported missing between 2003 and 2014 and are still missing, leaving behind distraught owners. 1 in 10 owners experience their dog going missing- either stolen or run away.
These statistics would of course be much higher without microchips. It is suggested that approximately 75% of dogs are reunited with their family thanks to their microchip.
“The statistics are shocking that so many pets are currently missing in the UK. A microchip is a wonderful thing and helps to reunite tens of thousands of pets with their owners but it is not a magic wand and will not work if pet owners do not keep their contact details up to date with their microchipping database. A lot of families move house and change phone numbers making it impossible to reunite their pets in a lot of cases.”
Celia Walson, Petlog Executive
93% of dogs in the UK are microchipped, but 53% of these do not hold the correct information.
Microchipping is the law
As of 6th April 2016, microchipping has been a legal requirement in the UK. Under this law, owners are required to ensure their dog is microchipped and their details are kept up to date. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £500. Despite this, 1 in 5 dogs are not microchipped.
“Every responsible dog owner wants to know their pet is safe. Microchipping will not only reunite people with their lost or stolen pets, but also help to tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets and relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities.
We are a nation of dog lovers and microchipping is crucial for both good dog welfare and to provide dog owners with peace of mind.”
George Eustice, Animal Welfare Minister
Have you registered your dog’s microchip?
The dogs we help are all microchipped before they travel. The Spanish database is separate to the UK chip databases so it is incredibly important that you update the chip with your details. You will find all the details you need to do so in their passport. You can register their chip to a UK database here.
Most of our adopters find that their dogs have a keen hunting instinct, often coupled with poor recall, meaning they are at risk of getting lost. You can also help to keep your dog safe by keeping it on a long line unless in a secure field and ensuring they wear an identification tag at all times. You may also choose to invest in a GPS tracker.