My vet won't tattoo my pup as I wanted duel id on her. I know details on chip will be her new owner's but want the tattoo to stay in my name. Can anyone suggest a vet willing to do the proceedure in Leicestershire please?

The national dog tattoo register has a list of people who do it and there is only 1 for Leicestershire
http://www.dog-register.co.uk/find-a-tattooist.html

Vets don't tattoo pups it's the  National Dog Tattoo Register  that does it ;-)

Hope this helps :-)

Just had a look at the list and was surprised to see there is only 1 each in Suffolk and Norfolk, there used to be about 6 in Suffolk and 4 in Norfolk that I knew about.
I wonder have they changed the criteria on who can do it or has demand gone down that much with the 'chip & pin' system?

I think the demand has dropped. My vet was very pro chipping but not tattooing even though I said I want both. Was told chips were 100% safe, never failed and had no ill effects so why bother? Thanks for the info. Will sort it for monday :)

I used to have mine tattooed out in Canada and my then vet did it, but hated to doing it!!   This was before the advent of Microchipping however which for me, coupled with a tag on the collar when out, I've always thought was enough really.

Funny that, it never occurred to me that a vet might do it ???

According to British Law,  the microchip wouldn't prove ownership, but the Tattoo would.

From the PETLOG website

"Is compulsory microchipping now proof of ownership / keepership?   

No - microchipping has never been proof of 'ownership'.  Even when microchipping becomes compulsory in 2016 this will still be the case. The words 'owner' and 'ownership' have been replaced by the words 'keeper' and 'keepership' for this very reason.

Will compulsory microchipping mean legal 'Keeper / Ownership'?  

The words 'legally responsible' are used if your dog strays, bites or causes any unjust damage - as the keeper of the dog you are 'liable' for the dog that is registered to you.  As the 'keeper' therefore you will be held responsible if your dog has been found to commit such an act, however the 'keeper' will be protected from prosecution if their dog attacks a burglar or trespasser on their land."

In other words, Legal Keepper/Ownership is NOT proven by your dog being microchipped!!

However a permanent visible mark on the dog is proof of ownership.  Therefore tattooing is a better way of ensuring your dog gets back to you.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/50401

This e-petition has received the following response:

[Quote]As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

We do not plan to introduce compulsory scanning. This is because it is already best practice that stray pets are scanned for microchips when received by vets and rescue centres. The guidance provided by the British Veterinary Association advises veterinarians to always scan animals brought into their surgeries for the first time. Details of pets and those keeping them should be recorded on a microchip database so that pets can be re-united with their owners if those pets go missing. The new requirement from April 2016 for all dogs in England to be microchipped and for the details of the dog and its owner to be recorded on a database, will also require for such details to be kept up to date. The database should be informed when any pet is lost or stolen. If a stolen pet is identified through scanning the chip, then the database can advise the keeper on what steps may be taken.

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000
signature threshold.[/Quote]

https://www.facebook.com/MicrochipPetOwners

Perhaps I should give this a thread of its own?

Again, with microchipping I'm STILL of two minds about this.   I did have my Basset done, couple of years ago when he was in for a dental, but have yet to have my Whippet chipped.   I have spoken to her breeder and other Whippet owners who all say it's okay with Whippets, BUT when you consider their skin vs that of a Basset - well it just makes me shudder.   And I REALLY resent being forced into having this done by the Government.   I do appreciate the advantages BUT since 1972, we have (touch everything) never lost a hound, even when out in Canada ....... I guess I'll have to conform - but I have yet to find out whether vets who know their clients have unchipped animals, will rat on them!!!?

My daughter´s whippet was microchipped several years ago when he was still young (he´s nearly 10 now).  I didn´t bother him any more than any other animal I´ve owned (cats and toy dogs).  It was also very helpful when the dog escaped from a friend´s house whilst they were looking after him when my daughter was on holiday.

I am not anti or pro chipping. All my dogs are chipped but change of details means that as the breeder, I would have no idea what happens to a pup I've bred if the new owners choose not to keep in touch. I hope that when I choose potential parents, they will be responsible and keep in touch should the dog need to be rehomed. But I can't guarantee that. For me, dual id means that a stray dog has more chances of getting back home if its picked up. I know its not always looked for but at least I know I've done everything I can as a responsible breeder, giving that pup every chance of being found.

I may not need to tattoo after all if pup goes to my preferred choice of puppy parent.

>All my dogs are chipped but change of details means that as the breeder, I would have no idea what happens to a pup I've bred if the new owners choose not to keep in touch. I hope that when I choose potential parents, they will be responsible and keep in touch should the dog need to be rehomed. But I can't guarantee that. For me, dual id means that a stray dog has more chances of getting back home if its picked up. I know its not always looked for but at least I know I've done everything I can as a responsible breeder, giving that pup every chance of being found.

Exactly my reasons for using the national dog Tattoo Register.  It isn't unknown for owners to not refer to the breeder when deciding to re-home a dog and should it end up in rescue it can always be traced back to me. 

I also think that by pointing out to new owners that the dog has visible ID that can always be traced back to me, they are les likely to go behind my back with a re-homing situation.

Barbara how do your puppies react to having it done? I was just watching a video of a pup being done of there website and it squealed when they did it.

Jo,  when my pups had it done at about 6 weeks,  they squealed because they were being held,  when the tattoo was applied,  they didn't murmer.   By then they were noshing on some cheese :-)

The biggest challenge is stopping them and mum from licking off the ink before it has time to 'work'  ;-)

Same as dill the only reason they squeal is being firmly held and there is an grunt when the calipers are applied, but as the ink is rubbed in, which is soothing they settle instantly and ones already done are running about happily or trying to climb up to see what is being done with the next one.

It would appear to be no worse than having our ears pierced.

There is a bit of head sha9ng at the feel of the weight of the thick paste that is the ink, and they will scratch at it with hind paws so you get black footprints, and you will get black poos if they clean it off their feet.

For a good take the ear flap needs to be cleaned with surgical spirit and clipped even it it appears to be hairless, and the ink must be4 allowed to fall out/wear away on it's own, definitely no washing the ears.

My 15 year olds is still legible for me to read with just 20% sight.  Though if I was being fussy wanting to see all the letters and numbers a bit of clipping would help, but moistening with surgical spirit where the hair covers the first letters (which aren't needed to make a positive match with the register, as they identify the tattooist and the grouping of breeds).

Also a friend had her young adolescent wimpy Border collie done at same time as I had a litter done and there was no more reaction than the pups, and she was soon happy to forgive the tattoo lady. 

The rubbing in of the ink is soothing, and has antiseptic in it, so I think they treat it as an accidental hurt..

Thanks Barbara. I was worried about the ear not going up afterwards but then read that the original idea was first tried on my breed, so am happy to proceed.

Why do some people sniff at the idea of alternative identification? One size does not fit all and its so annoying when people try to make decisions for you :(

I like Belt and Braces myself, mine are tattooed, chipped and wear collar tags 24/7

Thank you Barbara and dill.

Do they use any kind of local anaesthetic cream prior to tattooing?
I ask because I found a study online which looked at the use of EML cream (easily available OTC) on rabbits which were having their ears tattooed (this is common for ID in many countries and also in laboratories). The upshot was that applying the EML cream 20 mins prior to tattooing significantly reduced stress.

I think Rabbits ears are a lot more sensitive, I have never seen any need for anaesthetic as any pain is so transitory.  It is a punch technique, done with a set of calipers (sort of like pliers, akin to ear piercing.

I have had 21 litters and two adults tattooed plus numerous older pups and adults belonging to friends done alongside my litters.  Al bar on two occasions done by the same tattooist.  She even came to do my pups with a broken leg and while undergoing chemo and has seen generations of my dogs, from birth to 15 years.

Certainly no worse than having a vaccination.

I have been tattooing my litters for 8 years now.  I have not once had a pup that has found it distressing, some sqeak for literally a second but as soon as the ink goes on, they love it and go all sleepy.
Even if they did squeak for a couple of seconds, I would still do it as it provides a visible, lifelong form of ID - far outweights the pain as far as I;m concerned.  As soon as pup is back with its siblings, all is forgotten as they're playing again..  Also never had a problem with infection.
Win, win situation for me

I like Belt and Braces myself, mine are tattooed, chipped and wear collar tags 24/7

Snap! Will be getting older lot done soon too.