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Microchipping is a permanent method to help ensure your dog's safe return if it is unfortunate enough to become lost. However, you are still required to ensure that your is dog visibly identifiable by means of a collar and tag with your name and address.
Microchipping is recognised as the most effective and secure way of permanently identifying a pet. The technology to microchip has been around since 1989 and since then approximately 1.5 million dogs and cats have been microchipped. This figure continues to grow at an estimated 7,500 registrations per week.
With the introduction of the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2014; from April 16th 2016 all dogs must be chipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old.
The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is encased in a biocompatible glass, the same used in human pacemakers, to prevent rejection from the animals body. In dogs, the microchip is inserted into the loose skin on the back of the dog's neck using a specially designed implanting device. Insertion is a quick and easy process that causes no more discomfort than a usual vaccination. The microchip will last for the animal's lifetime. The chips used by the Borough Council are supplied by a company called AVID PETtrac
Each microchip carries a unique number that is logged onto a national database. Against this number key information is stored about the dog and its owner including the dog's name, the owner's name and address and a record of the dog's vaccinations. The information will be held by PetLog on the Kennel Club’s database. When a scanner is passed over the microchip low frequency radio waves created by the scanner activate the microchip, allowing the unique number to be read.
Approximately 10,000 scanners are in use throughout the UK and can be found at most veterinary practices, local authorities and animal welfare groups.
We scan the dogs we find straying. Even dogs with microchips are only returned on one occasion .In all other cases the dog will be taken to the City Dogs Home – and we will use the chip details to contact the owner and advise them what we have done.
You should be aware that the microchipping procedure may cause mild discomfort to your dog, and must agree that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council shall not be liable in any way for any adverse effects that might be caused to the dog either during the microchipping procedure or arising afterwards.
The Borough Council will implant a microchip for £10. Payment, with this form, must be made to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, by hand or post to the address below.
On receipt of payment the Dog Wardens will arrange to visit you at home and implant the chip. For Further details of the scheme contact the Borough Council’s Dog Warden Service 01782 742571
Click here to download a Microchipping Application Form (PDF 188Kb). Alternately you may contact us place the request / make the payment by telephone or visiting us..
Our microchipping service is subsidised, and accordingly we can only chip dogs. Your vet will be able to assist chipping other pets.
When the chip is implanted the details you provide such as your address and telephone contact number are registered on a database. To check these details we suggest that you contact your vet. They will be able to scan your pet to make sure that the chip is working properly, and from the unique serial number it provides they will be able to trace where details are registered. Different registration companies have different arrangements for updating their records. Charges may apply.
If you buy a pet which has a chip you may need the previous owner’s permission to replace their details with yours.