To mark Check the Chip Day on 15th August 2023, Dogs Trust has released new data from its the Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey which reveals that approximately 28,015 stray dogs were handled by local authority dog wardens last year.
Thankfully, after spending some time in local authority pounds, around half of these dogs were reunited with their owners. However, despite being microchipped, an estimated 4,352 dogs were unable to be reunited with their owners, simply because the owner’s contact details held on the microchip database were incorrect.
Dogs Trust is now calling on all owners to ensure that their dog’s microchip details are updated to ensure they can be quickly reunited with their owners if they do go missing.
Since 2016, it has been a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped, and the chip must be linked to the owner’s current contact information. In addition, all dogs need to wear a collar and tag that states the name and address of the owner when in a public place, even if microchipped.
For more information about microchipping, visit https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/health-wellbeing/essentials/microchipping
Around a fifth of all stray dogs handled by dog wardens were passed on to welfare organisations such as Dogs Trust to be re-homed. This includes Opie, a super friendly lurcher who is now in the care of Dogs Trust Merseyside after being found as a stray dog.
Opie is now looking for his forever home. In preparation, Opie has been spending time in foster care, where he has been happy to greet all visitors with a wiggly bottom! Opie has been making the most of the hospitality and sleeping the whole night through. He has been good travelling in the car so would enjoy joining his new family on adventures.
Opie is very friendly with other dogs, but he could do with learning a few lessons in doggie etiquette, so he would benefit from having calm and confident pals outside of the house whilst he learns how to interact more appropriately. Opie could live with children over the age of 12.
For more information about Opie visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/merseyside
Adam Clowes, Director of Operations at Dogs Trust says: “When a dog goes missing it is incredibly stressful for their owners and families. However, ensuring their microchip details are kept up to date gives owners the best opportunity of being reunited with their canine friend should the worst happen, and they go missing.
“Our Stray Dogs Survey found that thousands of dogs are handled by local authority dog wardens every year. While many are microchipped, a large number sadly couldn’t be reunited with their owners simply because their microchip details were not up to date.
“It’s simple to update the details for your dog’s microchip; you can do it online, by telephone or by post, depending on which database your chip is registered to. This quick check will give you the best possible chance of being reunited with your dog if the worst does happen.”
