AHEAD of Check the Chip Day tomorrow (August 15), Dogs Trust Cardiff is warning owners to update their dogs’ microchip data, as new data shows that fewer than 2 in 5 dogs picked up by council wardens are reunited with their owners.
Data from the latest Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey has revealed that last year, 36,000 stray dogs were handed to local authorities, with Dogs Trust estimating that only around 38% of chipped dogs had the correct owner details on their microchip, making reuniting owners and their dogs a lot harder.
Dogs Trust Cardiff is using Check the Chip Day to encourage local dog owners to recognise the importance of making sure this information is kept up to date. Since 2016, microchipping has been a legal requirement for all dogs. However, many owners forget to update the details on their dogs’ chip when they move house or change telephone numbers, making it much harder for dogs to be reunited with their owners.
Where local authorities are unable to reunite owners and their dogs, they are often handed over to rehoming organisations, including Dogs Trust Cardiff, to be rehomed. One of the many dogs in Dogs Trust’s care is Maggie the Bulldog cross, who arrived at the charity after being found as a stray.
Six-year-old Maggie arrived at Dogs Trust as a very nervous dog, lacking in confidence, but since being with the charity, she has come on leaps and bounds. Maggie can still be anxious when meeting new people and is looking for owners who are happy to take the time to get to know her. However, once you are in her trusted circle, you will see just how playful she can be, and Maggie won’t be shy to show you how much she loves to cuddle and adores a fuss.
Maggie is looking for a patient family that is willing to show her the ropes. In her forever home, Maggie can live with older teenagers and would happily share her home with another dog who can help her build confidence in her surroundings.
Kim Davies, Rehoming Centre Manager of Dogs Trust Cardiff, said: “Sadly, as our survey shows, thousands of dogs are found as strays each year.
“If the worst does happen, and you lose your dog, up to date details on their microchip will give you the best chance of being reunited with your dog.
“When a dog goes missing, it is a stressful time for the dog, their owners, and their families, so we encourage all dog owners to check and update the details on their dog’s microchip.
“It is easy to do either online, by telephone, or post. It’s a simple and effective step every dog owner can take to protect their beloved pets.”
For more information on how to check and update your dog’s microchip information, please visit the Dogs Trust website.
