Pet Microchip

Mandatory Dog Micro chipping and Compulsory Pet Insurance

The recent proposals regarding revisions to the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) in the UK - making it mandatory for all dogs to be microchipped and owners to have third party pet liability insurance on their dogs - have of course sparked another lively debate between people for and those against.

The government wanted to use this law to help decrease the number of dogs that are bred and kept for the sole purpose of intimidating others, and to take action against owners of dogs which have attacked people. The logic goes that compulsory microchips will help law enforcement track down owners of dogs who have been involved in attacks. The mandatory pet insurance part would compensate victims of dog attacks. Having failed to predict the instant outcry from the majority of the nation's ten million dog owners, there has since been something of a turnaround. What has occurred though is the bringing of this complex and highly controversial issue back into the spotlight, which can only be a good thing for responsible pet owners who want see the right thing done. How this can actually be achieved will most likely be a hot topic for some time to come.

Animal Welfare organisations around the globe have supported pet microchipping for a long time. There are many European countries such as Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Norway that have mandatory microchipping laws in effect. In parts of Germany and Switzerland mandatory dog insurance is also in place. Switzerland also requires that a person who wants to own a dog has to pass a test first. This is done to make sure animal owners are prepared to take responsibility for their pets.

The reason for microchipping is primarily to help a person become reunited with a lost pet; it can also help to reduce the problem of strays and feral dog and cat colonies. The actual process is not painful to the animal and the chip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted between the shoulder blades and when scanned it gives the owner's information. The cost of microchipping your animal is between ten and thirty-five pounds. Most people are in favour of microchipping their dog so they can be found if lost or stolen, but compulsory microchipping - although perhaps a good idea in theory - would be costly and very difficult to enforce.

The rise in court cases and hospital admissions as a result of dog attacks has been steadily increasing in the UK. According to the Metropolitan Police in London, court cases have risen from just 35 in 2003 to 719 in 2009. There has been an increase in the number of dog fighting complaints and about 6,000 postal workers get bitten each year.

The argument against compulsory third-party liability dog insurance mainly focuses on the financial burden subsequently placed on many innocent and responsible pet owners. People who raise and breed animals specifically to attack would get around this law anyway, as it would be almost impossible to enforce. So-called "dangerous dogs" are seen as a serious problem; in London police seized at least 900 dogs in the last year. The vast majority of people are responsible pet owners (who will most likely already have some kind of pet insurance policy in place). However, some do breed and keep dogs to intimidate others and in a sense use their animals as a weapon, and this is the issue which clearly needs addressing.

Other proposals to amend existing legislation do remain, despite governmental backtracking, including giving councils and police more power to handle "dangerous" dogs. This would be in the form of removing exemption rules in some cases and to introduce dog control notices. An important proposal involves extending the realms of private property to be included in liability cases. More about this can be found by visiting Defra's website.

Yet even imposing mandatory insurance for dogs which have already been labelled as "dangerous" or subject to Dog Control doesn't seem like an option which is viable or enforceable either. Pet insurance for certain "high-risk" breeds of dog is more expensive anyway, and certain breeds are excluded from cover entirely by many pet insurance companies.

One of the reasons this issue has been kept alive and in the news is due to several dog attacks in recent years which have killed children. Most people believe that the proposed revisions will not solve the problem with dog attacks and dogs mauling people. It has been suggested that increased preventive measures should rather be taken. Even though a dog may have been identified as being dangerous, and has been microchipped, that doesn't necessarily mean they will not bite or attack less, particularly if there has been insufficient training for the animal concerned.

People who oppose the suggested revisions to the Act would rather see a focus on public education and elimination of the source of the problem. In many cases this is the unethical practice of breeders who continue to flood the pet market with breeds considered to be more likely to be labelled as dangerous due to specific characteristics of that breed. The key to handling some of the problem - both for dogs, their owners, and the general public - lies in sufficient training and education.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/mandatory-dog-microchipping-and-compulsory-pet-insurance-2065623.html

Most good pet insurance policies already have third party liability, which would cover damage caused by your dog to property or to another animal or human and it's important to compare pet insurance to make sure that you are getting the level of cover that is right for you and your dog. This article was bought to you by AFI pet Insurance.

Don't end up with a £5,000 fine by getting it wrong, everyone should read this!

Many of us in the UK love to spoil our pets with various accessories like coats, jumpers, 'doggles' and even shoes! One of the most important things however that should not be neglected or forgotten is a Pet ID Tag.

Pet Identification not only makes sense (in case you pet gets lost) but also is a LEGAL requirement in the UK!

The law requires your to have your name, address (including postcode) and ideally phone number on the pet identification.

"The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable)." [ref Kennel Club website]

If you don't follow the law with this, you could risk a £5,000 fine!!

In our opinion, the BEST way to get your pet identification all wrapped up, is to take our 5 step plan...

1. Get your pet microchipped


2. Get yourself a quality engraved pet ID tag disc. Ideally ensure it's a nice thick disc, with quality engraving (not cheap scratch engraving like you might find in help yourself pet shops). Add your name and address. And hopefully if space, phone number. Also if you can, add a line like "I am microchipped".


3. Ensure the tag is attached to the collar with a high quality split ring. Don't use one that has a cheap round metal attachment which will eventually bend and allow the tag to come loose from the collar!


4. Get an embroidered personalised dog collar with your name and phone number. This ensure that if for some reason the tag has come loose from the collar, or an old person who cant read the small engraving text, can still easily find your phone number from the large text embroidery on the collar!


5. Check the details are up to date at regular intervals, if you move, change name, or phone number then get your pet identification updated immediately.

Best Pet Collars sell personalised custom embroidered dog collars and have a fantastic range of pet ID tags which can be with you in less than a week from ordering.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pet-id-tags-and-the-law-uk-a-must-read-for-any-dog-owner-in-the-uk-718246.html

Dog Trainer, Pet Accessories retailer, dog food nutrition and retailer of Burns Real Food.

It's fairly safe to assume that we have all seen the flyers or posters about a lost pet at one time or another. Behind each of these posters is a sad story; a little boy hoping somebody finds his puppy or an elderly person longing for the company of their missing cat. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against these lost pets ever finding their way home. Based on statistics from the American Humane Association about 17% of lost dogs and only 2% of lost cats are reunited with their owners. Close to 10 million pets are euthanized each year because their owners can't be located. However, in the event your pet gets lost you can easily improve the chances of their retuning home safe and sound with some simple steps to help identify them.

The most common and easiest way to identify your pet is with a collar and nametag. Not only do nametags provide your contact information, the presence of a collar and tag may help to indicate that your pet is not simply a stray and help to illicit action on the part of people who see your pet. Since tags can fade, rust, or become damaged it is a good idea to check them periodically to make sure they are readable. If the tag is not easily read or if your contact information has changed replace them immediately. The small cost of a new tag is well worth avoiding the heartache of a lost pet.

While nametags and collars serve a vital role in identifying your pet tags can be lost and collars can slip off. A secondary and secure form of identification is the Microchip. When Microchipping your pet a veterinarian injects a computer chip about the size of a grain of rice just under the skin between your pets' shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number that is then entered into an international database such as the Central Animal Registry or PETtrac. Any animal hospital, veterinarian, animal shelter or humane society can read the I.D. number on the chip with a scanner. The number is then searched for in the database and your contact information retrieved. The microchip can't be lost or destroyed and will last for your pets entire life but it is important for you as the pet owner to keep your contact information up to date.

Even though Microchip pet identification has been safely used for several years now there are still misconceptions regarding its use. Because of this many veterinarians and humane societies have ongoing programs in an effort to educate pet owners about the value of having their pets microchipped. Here, we will address some of the misconceptions and misinformation concerning microchip identification.

Some pet owners believe that the procedure for implanting the chip is extremely expensive. While there is no absolute set price to have a microchip implanted it usually costs between $25 and $50 dollars. Often times veterinarians will offer the procedure at a discount if you have it done at the same time as another service such as annual vaccinations or spaying or neutering. This is a one-time procedure; the chip does not have a battery or other type of power source to wear out and no moving parts. The chip draws a small amount of power from the scanner when it is passed over allowing it to transmit the I.D. number. There is no monthly or annual service fee, the chip is maintenance free, and it never needs replacing. There may be a small fee for entering your contact information into the database or for changing your contact information at a later date should the need arise.

Many people are concerned that implanting the chip will be painful for their pet. The procedure to implant the microchip is not much different from your pet receiving their vaccinations. The identification chip is injected just under the loose skin between your pets' shoulder blades. This leads us to another common question, and that is whether or not it is safe your pet to have a foreign object in their body. Of course there is some risk with any foreign material being in the body but these are very minimal in comparison to the risk of your pet becoming lost and not finding their way home. The microchips are comprised of an inert and biocompatible material so they will not cause an allergic reaction in your pet. While the earlier versions of the identification chips would occasionally "migrate" from the point they were originally implanted the newer types have been designed to prevent that from happening. This means that the chip won't move all around your pets' body or come near any vital organs or nerve tissue. Your veterinarian will take the time to explain all of the risks before the procedure and will most likely recommend that you keep your pet as calm and quiet as possible for the first 24 hours after the injection to allow the implantation to heal securely.

Another common belief is that it is impossible for every microchip to have a unique number. With today's technology it is possible for these tiny microchips to hold incredible amounts of information and can produce up to 275 billion different I.D. numbers. Moreover, each chip manufacturer add product and manufacturer codes to the microchips they produce creating even more possible number combinations assuring that every pet who has a microchip implanted has their own unique number. In fact these numbers are so exclusive that both the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs recognize microchip identification as absolute proof of a dog's identity.

Some people may say that all of the aforementioned attributes of microchip identification are all well and good but of little consequence since many shelters or veterinarians don't have microchip scanners. While it is a fact that in order for the microchip to help identify your pet it needs to be scanned the truth is that there are very few shelters or veterinarians who do not have access to a microchip reader. There was a time that each brand of microchip could only be read by its own brand of scanner. However, recently the primary chip manufacturers have begun to offer a universal reader to shelters, humane societies and veterinarians for free or for a very nominal fee. This means that no matter which company manufactured your pets I.D. chip it can be easily scanned with a universal reader.

While Microchipping is very safe and effective it is no guarantee that your lost pet will be found and returned to you. It is very important that you have more than one type of identification. If for example, your pet were turned over to a shelter that did not have a chip scanner, a collar and nametag would save the day. There are also tags available that indicate that your pet does have a microchip identification thereby allowing the shelter to contact a local veterinarian or other organization that may have a scanner. A nametag will also allow for the possibility of someone finding your pet and contacting you directly. Some pet owners also opt for a small identification tattoo on the ear. If one form of I.D. fails, having secondary identification greatly increases the chances of your pet coming home to their loving family where they belong.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-facts-about-microchip-identification-for-your-pet-4812287.html

Jeffrey Weber has been a long time and avid pet lover. Over the years he has had the privilege to learn from pet professionals, as well as from his own experience, many things that enhance the joys of having a pet. In an effort to help strengthen the bond between people and their pets he openly shares his knowledge on his blog "Family Pets"
In addition Jeff and his wife believe a healthy pet is a happy pet and offer highest quality pet supplies at Your-Pets-R-Family-2

There are all sorts of pet identification devices available in the market today. Ranging from simple plastic nametags to the more sophisticated microchips and GPS collars, there is an option to suit every pet and all budgets. When choosing a pet ID, take some time to consider some relevant points. For example, is your dog an escape artist? Is he young and boisterous and prone to running off and exploring? Has he been properly trained and is he obedient to commands? The answers to these questions will help you decide just exactly how high risk your pet is. The higher the chances of him escaping or running off, the more advanced your pet ID should ideally be. Of course pets don't always simply go missing - some of them are stolen. Certain breeds such as purebreds or trained dogs are more susceptible to theft than others. At the end of the day however, the cost of NOT having a pet ID is infinitely higher than actually purchasing one. After all, your pet is a part of your family and wouldn't you do anything to keep him safe and secure?

Pet IDs can vary in terms of size, shape, durability and information storage capabilities. For instance, a simple dog tag could be anything from a plastic tag with the bare minimum of information (i.e. name, address, and phone number). While these plastic tags are lightweight and economical, they are not very long lasting. A better option would be stainless steel tags that can be attached to the dog collar. These could even be engraved with the necessary information and are sturdier than most other types. There are also temporary ID tags available that you can add on to your pet's collar when you are traveling. Here you should mention the address and numbers where you can be reached and more importantly the dates you will be at these places. All of these types of tags can be purchased from your vet, a pet store or even online. As with everything else, even the basic pet ID tag has been improved with technology. You can now get ID tags with digital displays or voice recordings, IDs that are linked back to pet registry sites making it possible to store more information about your pet and even USB drive pet tags that can be updated often and plugged into any computer for immediate identification.

A more permanent type of pet identification and one that is fast gaining popularity is the microchip. The size of a grain of rice, this actual chip is injected between the shoulder blades of your dog under medical supervision. Your vet will be able to carry out this relatively simple procedure in no time and will cause no discomfort to your pet. Microchips possess all the relevant information embedded within as well as a back up of the same with the provider's database. As a result there is an annual fee attached for registration and pet recovery services if required. Microchips also need scanners to extract the information and all vets and shelters might not be equipped with these scanners. In such instances, the very existence of a microchip becomes null and void, as there is no way to access the information included.

Tattooing your pet is another age-old solution to the identification problem. ID numbers are generally tattooed in the area of the pet's groin and the number is then listed with a registry service for optimum effect. Shelters and clinics also tend not to get rid of tattooed pets and hold them for a longer period. Over time though, the tattoo might fade so it is recommended that only a skilled tattoo artist handle the procedure so as to ensure its longevity.

The latest in pet identification today is the GPS Tracker . Models such as the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator are attached to your dog's collar. It is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant and comes with round the clock access to the AKC CAR Helpline and recovery services. GPS Pet Trackers such as SpotLight use GPS technology to help you pin point the exact location of your pet in a matter of minutes. Therefore they serve a multifold purpose of identification, prevention and protection!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/options-available-for-pet-identification-3023581.html

This article is Co-authored by Chris Newton & Lewis Sheats, from Securus, Inc. For more information about GPS Pet Tracking System, visit http://www.spotlightgps.com/.