New Microchip Legislation 2016
It is now a legal requirement to have your dog/s micro-chipped under new legislation effective from March 31st 2016. PAWS Animal Rescue are urging all current and new dog-owners to chip-check your dog at www.chipcheck.ie and ensure your dog’s microchip is up-to-date and registered on a government-approved database and that YOU are the registered owner. Many veterinary clinics and rescue shelters can assist any dog owners with chip-checking. The new law also requires a registered certificate, much like a dog licence which proves your dog is chipped and registered.
This new legislation will act as a breakthrough in dog-welfare in Ireland as it will assist in every dog having a history and personal identity. It will vastly improve the recovery of lost, found and stolen dogs and increase the likelihood of a dog being returned to his/her owner. The use of registered micro-chips also highly reduces the burden on Irish rescues and shelters and helps to reduce the number of dogs put down in pounds as it decreases the amount of dogs found straying and unable to be reunited with their owners. This reduces kennel costs and, therefore, dog-wardens are able to hold on to surrendered dogs much longer than if kennel space was taken up by owned dogs found straying.
For anyone unsure on the new micro-chipping law or is uncertain about anything, below are some frequently asked questions, answered:
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small transponder chip, the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted internally under your dog’s skin. The pet-owner’s world-unique contact number and some identifying details about your pet is maintained on the transponder chip and contained on a reputable and government-approved database. The database is accessible by dog-wardens, registered vet clinics, rescue shelters and An Garda Siochana. However, each chip must be registered by the pet-owner.
What are the benefits of a microchip?
It is now a legal requirement for all dogs to have a registered micro-chip in Ireland under new legislation officially from March 31st 2016. It is the legal responsibility of each owner to have their dog/s micro-chipped and registered. However, there are huge benefits to this. If your dog goes missing, the likelihood of having your dog returned to you is vastly increased. Microchips also assist with the discouragement of dog-thieves as microchips are traceable and each dog maintains a permanent and personal identity and are far more easily recovered. This makes it virtually impossible for dog-thieves to be able to sell stolen dogs on.
I am already a responsible pet-owner, do I really need a micro-chip?
The short answer is, yes. Even if your dog has never strayed or you are a responsible owner, there is always a “what-if?” and dog-theft is always a possibility. Micro-chipping is the most effective way to reunite a lost pet with his/her owner and gives your pet a permanent identity and history. Plus, it is now compulsory by law and failing to micro-chip your dog can result in a fine of up to €5000.
What details are on a dog-identification database?
The details on a registered microchip are the contact details of the owner and some identifying details of the dog (such as colour, gender, markings etc.) The following details are included on a dog-identification database, only to be accessed by the registered authorities.
(a) the unique identifier of the microchip inserted in the dog,
(b) the date of insertion of microchip,
(c) the date of birth of the dog,
(d) description of the dog which may include breed, colour and markings,
(e) the sex of the dog,
(f) the address of the premises where the dog is normally kept,
(g) the name, address and contact details of the owner and, if different, person having possession or control of the dog,
(h) the identity (including a unique identifying code assigned by the Database operator) of the person who microchips and registers a dog,
(i) details (cause, date and place) of the death of the dog, and
(j) details and date of the loss of the dog.