"Chip, chip hooray" as Dogs Trust hosts successful microchipping event in The Highlands

It was chips ahoy at Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, from 6-10 June as the charity held five days of microchipping events in The Highlands.  

Dogs Trust’s Chipping Team visited Thurso, Wick, Golspie, Alness, Dingwall, Inverness and Nairn offering free microchipping to local dogs in a bid to promote responsible dog ownership and educate the public on the benefits of compulsory microchipping.  

The events, held in conjunction with The Highland Council, were a huge success, with a grand total of 524 dogs microchipped over the course of the week. Dogs Trust representatives were also on hand to answer any health or general queries from dog owners, who were reminded of the importance in keeping their dog’s microchip database details up to date.  

The charity is now continuing its campaign with roving teams setting up further events across the country and, with microchipping set to become compulsory in Wales in 2015 and England in 2016, Dogs Trust hopes the Scottish Government will legislate for this important aspect of dog welfare.  

Elvria Meucci, Head of Education and Community at Dogs Trust comments, “We are thrilled with the success of these events and are overwhelmed by the support we have received from the local Highlands community. Microchipping is a simple and effective procedure which we believe is the most successful tool in helping to reunite lost dogs with their owners. I urge any dog owners who haven’t yet had their dog microchipped to visit https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/community-events/ to find out about further microchipping events in their local area.”

Commenting on the success of the event, Councillor Graham MacKenzie Chair of Community Services Committee at The Highlands Council said:  “We’re delighted as we expected the free micro-chipping sessions to be popular but could not have anticipated the huge response. Responsible dog ownership is all about keeping your dog safe as well as picking up after your dog. Collars and tags can become lost or removed so Dogs Trust do a great job in promoting the importance of microchipping as a great way to identify your dog and be reunited with them quickly if they ever became lost.”  

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity with nineteen rehoming centres across the UK and one in Ireland, and invest substantial resources in information services and education on responsible dog ownership.

 

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11 Jun 2014