Dog owners urged to update microchip details
In recent weeks, the animal control team at Stirling Council (who operate the dog warden service for the Falkirk Council area) has picked up several stray dogs that were microchipped however, were not registered correctly or details were out of date.
While microchipping has been a legal requirement for dogs in Scotland since 2016, many owners are unaware that the chip is only effective if their contact details are accurate and kept current.
Microchips are not GPS trackers – they only work if an animal control officer can access the database and find the right information.
Councillor Stacey Devine, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Public Protection said:
Having your dog microchipped is only part of the job as you also need to keep your details up to date.
“If a stray dog is picked up and the chip leads to an old address or contact number, we have no way of contacting the owner.
“That can lead to delays, kennelling fees and unnecessary stress for both the owner and the animal.
“We want to make sure that animal and owner are reunited as soon as possible.
Figures show that two in every three stray dogs with up-to-date chip details are returned home quickly and safely but if the details are out of date or missing, the dog may need to be taken to kennels until the owner is found.
To check or update your dog’s details, contact the microchip database your vet or breeder used. If you are not sure which database your dog is registered with, any DEFRA-compliant database can assist if you provide the microchip number.
If you do not know the number, your local vet can scan the chip and give you the information.