Microchipping

Microchipping in dogs is a legal requirement for dogs over 8 weeks of age. It is not yet a requirement for cats, however we feel that it is the best way of getting your cat back, should he/she go missing. The chip is implanted beneath the skin, between the shoulder blades. It is a large needle and although most animals do not seem to react badly to it, some do seem to feel it and it can be a little painful.

A scanner- widely available at veterinary surgeries, animal sanctuaries, police stations, dog wardens etc.- is used to pick up the unique number held by the chip in your pet. Having read the number a phone call to the database, which is manned night and day, rapidly unites the number with an owners address and contact details.

Chipping is the only foolproof way of identifying your pet and is to be thoroughly recommended. The chips can sometimes move but they remain only beneath the skin - they cannot migrate internally and can still be picked up by the routine scanning method which covers the whole body.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET GOES MISSING

Should your pet go missing it is often best to start with the local veterinary practices in your area as they are where most people take lost/stray animals. The next step would be to contact the microchip company to report your pet as missing and ensure that your contact details are correct. It is also worth trying your local council, RSPCA, Police as well as the CPL or NCDL. Links to some of them can be found below –

RSPCA - http://www.rspca.org.uk/  

CP - http://www.cats.org.uk/ 

NCDL - http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/

Police - http://www.kent.police.uk/Your%20Area/Medway/index.html