Charity urges dog owners to update microchip details

Dogs Trust Ilfracombe is reminding dog owners today to update their pets' microchip details as part of the annual 'Check the Chip Day' campaign.

The initiative, which falls on August 15 each year, highlights the importance of keeping microchip information current to ensure that lost dogs can be swiftly reunited with their owners.

The urgency of this reminder comes in light of data from the latest Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey, which revealed that approximately 35,078 stray dogs were handled by local authority dog wardens last year - a concerning increase from previous years. Shockingly, over a quarter (26 per cent) of these dogs could not be returned to their owners due to outdated or incorrect microchip details.

Elise Watson, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe says: “Being able to access accurate microchip information is crucial when it comes to reuniting lost dogs with their owners. Each year, thousands of dogs go missing, causing distress for both pets and their owners. By ensuring your contact details are up to date, you significantly increase the chances of a speedy reunion with your canine companion. It’s a simple yet effective step every dog owner can take to protect their beloved pets.

"We urge all dog owners to take a moment to check and update their contact details on their microchip database this Check the Chip Day. It can make all the difference when ensuring a happy outcome for both lost dogs and their families.”

Since 2016, it has been a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and for the chip to be linked to the owner's current contact details.

Despite this, a significant number of stray dogs each year are left unclaimed, either due to lack of a microchip or outdated information.

In addition to microchipping, dogs must wear a collar and tag displaying the owner's name and address when in public.

Dogs Trust Ilfracombe is using 'Check the Chip Day' to underscore the importance of this simple yet crucial task.

The centre recently cared for Foxy, a one-year-old Terrier who came to them as a stray without a microchip. After months of searching, Foxy was finally placed in a forever home, where he now enjoys a peaceful life away from busy roads - a happy ending that could have come much sooner if he had been chipped.

For more information on how to check and update your dog’s microchip information, visit the Dogs Trust website at www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/health-wellbeing/essentials/microchipping.

To learn more about dogs available for adoption at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/ilfracombe.