A new legislation will require all pet owners in England, Scotland and Wales to have their pet dogs microchipped. The pet microchip requirement for dogs, particularly for those, at least, eight-week-old pups, is said to be applicable this coming April while it remains to be uncertain for pet cats.
"In April, all dogs will legally require a microchip from the age of eight weeks, something that many people may not yet be aware of," Vets4Pets clinical services director Dr Huw Stacey told Halifax Courier. The doctor said that the pet microchip insertion procedure is fast and painless.
The veterinarian explained that the minor procedure involves the insertion of a sterile microchip, which is smaller than a grain, underneath the pet's skin located between the shoulder blades. The microchip is supposed to last a long time so that there will be no need to replace it during the pet's lifetime.
One of the benefits of giving all dogs a microchip is to help all pet owners to find their pets in an easier and more convenient manner if ever they get lost. Another benefit is to help the government to check the vaccination records of pets. According to the report from Halifax Courier, more than half of dogs in the U.K. are not yet vaccinated against the common canine diseases.
"By vaccinating, microchipping and seeing more puppies and kittens from an early age in vet practices, it should gradually improve the overall health of our adult dogs and cats," Dr Stacey said. He also added that dogs need to regularly get treatments for different parasites such as fleas and worms.
There are penalties for pet owners in the U.K. who will not follow the new pet microchip requirement in April. According to Pet Log, pet owners who will not get their pets microchipped by April will have to pay a fine of £500.
