Co Kildare dog owners invited to microchip dogs for free next week as part of National Chipping Week 2018
By Kim O'Leary
Dogs Trust, Ireland’s leading dog welfare charity, has today launched details of their annual Nationwide Microchipping Awareness Campaign, and Co Kildare dog owners can avail of the free microchipping at the chipping clinic at Maynooth Maxi Zoo on August 14.
The campaign will run from the 13th – 19th of August in association with Government approved microchipping database Fido. Although it has been a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped, registered with a government approved database and be in possession of an up-to-date Microchipping Certificate since April 2016, Fido estimates less than half of dogs are fully compliant with the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015.
Last year, shockingly only 25%* of stray dogs entering Irish Pounds were reunited with their owners, however Dogs Trust believes through microchipping and correct registration, this figure could be greatly improved. Dogs Trust wants to ensure that every dog in Ireland can be swiftly returned to their owners should they become lost or separated from them.
That is why this year the charity will again be offering free microchipping clinics at Maxi Zoo stores in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, as well as a Microchip Certificate Amnesty for dog owners across the country.
Free Chipping Clinics will be taking place at the following Maxi Zoo stores:
- Bray - August 13th
- Maynooth – August 14th
- Tallaght – August 16th
- Finglas – August 17th
Booking a place at these events is essential so please visit www.DogsTrust.ie for more information. Dogs Trust is offering free microchipping certificates to dog owners who have their dogs’ microchipped but do not yet have a certificate. Those who need to update their current certificate with their new contact details can also avail of the free Microchipping Certificate Amnesty via the charity's website.
If you are unsure of your dog’s microchip number, visit your local veterinary practice and ask to have your dog scanned with a microchip reader. Remember, if you change address or phone number, or transfer ownership of your dog, you must update your details straight away with your dog’s microchip database provider!
Speaking about this year’s National Chipping Week, Sarah Lynch, Campaigns Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland said; “Becoming lost and separated from their owners can be very distressing for dogs and incredibly stressful for loving owners. By having your dog microchipped and correctly registered, you could drastically reduce the amount of time you are apart. Dogs Trust wants to play a part in ensuring lost dogs are quickly reunited with their owners should they go missing and we cannot emphasize enough the many benefits of compulsory Microchipping and Registration. In association with Fido, we are delighted to be able to offer a nationwide Microchipping Certificate. Microchipping Certificate Amnesty to dog owners across Ireland, so please, check your dog’s details are up to date and if not, avail of the amnesty.”
Since April 1st 2016 not only is it mandatory for every dog owner to ensure that their dog is chipped and registered but they must also hold a Microchipping Certificate containing their most up-to-date details.
The 3-step process of becoming compliant with the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 is as follows: 1. Have your dog microchipped by a registered implanter i.e. your Vet, Vet Nurse or trained and approved lay implanter. 2. The implanter will register your details with a Government approved microchipping database (there are 4 in Ireland – Fido; Animark; Irish Kennel Club; and Microdog ID Ltd). 3. Obtain a Microchipping Certificate of compliance from your database provider (this will be sent to you once your registration has been completed).
Dogs Trust currently has 173 dogs looking for their forever homes. Dogs Trust has been working in Ireland since 2005 and its mission is to bring an end to the destruction of stray and abandoned dogs. For more information on Dogs Trust please go to www.dogstrust.ie