I've heard that the UK has just introduced the microchip by law.  How do you all feel about it?  We've had them here in Switzerland for the past 20 years, so nothing new for us.  There is now a new system online by which all the dogs registered under the name of a person come up with all the data pertaining and can be updated online.  That way the townships where each resident is registered can keep track of dogs and owners.  We pay a hefty dog tax each year, so they want to know this stuff.

I 'conformed'.  Is all I can say because to be honest, I really resent being compelled to have this done by the Government, and have to pay for it.   In all of 40+ years, none of my hounds has ever strayed (we did have the occasional 'excursion' when out on exercise in the Canadian wilds) or been picked up as a stray.    I had my Basset done long before I was persuaded to get my thin-skinned Whippet done and only had her microchipped days before the law came into effect.   The trouble with all these laws is only the 'good' comply, as was the case years ago with Licensing.    But I guess if it reunites just one dog with his/her owner, it's working.

ps    I wish somebody could tell me HOW to add my Whippet to my Petlog info.    They are understandably 'busy' right now and to date, I've not managed to get her added.    He's there - she isn't.

Your implanter should have registered the chip on the day it was implanted. Only implanters can register chips online. Get back to your implanter & complain no point in implanting a chip if you can't be bothered to register the chip. I know some implanters are lazy & give uncompleted forms to the pet owner & expect them to do the work

In view of the new law, I probably shouldn't admit this, but at his last vet check my eight year old's Avid microchip was only reading on about 40% of passes. He competes in dog activities, and is never far away from his mum. What would you do about this?

It's amazing how many people aren't aware of the law concerning micro-chipping.  I was at the vet's and dogs were being brought in for spaying.  The nurse was asking the normal questions for example is your dog up to date with flea treatment, worm treatment and have they been micro-chipped?  Answers given yes, yes and what? Two said they would have it done.

If it helps deal with the overall stray problem (although I am very sceptical) and gets dogs back to their rightful owners more often and more quickly then I am happy to comply with the new Law for the good of all dogs in the UK.  However, I don't see it eradicating or reducing irresponsible dog owners, dog attacks, puppy farms, dog fouling or any of the other big dog issues we currently have in this country.  I also wish the Law had encompassed making it a legal requirement for vets, rescue centres, Highways Agency, Rail networks etc to scan any dogs found and brought in to them either alive or deceased.

> I also wish the Law had encompassed making it a legal requirement for vets, rescue centres, Highways Agency, Rail networks etc to scan any dogs found and brought in to them either alive or deceased.

Without this, it's really (IMHO) pointless - if a straying dog is found, and no-one ever scans it, it will never get home and the original owner will never know its fate. 

I cannot understand how micro-chipping (on its own without being linked to a DNA database of all dogs) will ever stop dog fouling.

(My dogs are microchipped in the hope that if ever they are lost the chips will be scanned and they will be returned to me, but I have heard stories which imply that even when a valid, current chip is found rescues will not always return a dog to its owner.)

> Your implanter should have registered the chip on the day it was implanted. Only implanters can register chips online. Get back to your implanter & complain no point in implanting a chip if you can't be bothered to register the chip. I know some implanters are lazy & give uncompleted forms to the pet owner & expect them to do the work

They did (my vet) - I have received a letter from Petlog 'welcome of Petlog basic) and then a para. saying "Check your details' and how to complete it.  etc.   I have a Microchip number and a Petlog ID number, but I still can't seem to add my Whippet, as a second dog, to the details for my Basset.   And I just get a routine email back from Petlog telling me they are 'very busy'.   I guess I'll have to either ignore the letter, or phone them.  But basically I have more to get sorted out, than bother with all that!

And then there's the question of whether, should either stray, they will be checked for a 'chip!!!

Do you have a Petlog account ? If not then open one & your dog's chips will be downloaded to it. A bit like a MYKC account

After much thought I had my old dog chipped about 2 days before the deadline. Unfortunately I lost him on the 12th May

> Do you have a Petlog account ?

I do.

After much thought I had my old dog chipped about 2 days before the deadline. Unfortunately I lost him on the 12th May

Sorry to hear that Anne

My girl's chip was registered by her breeder using her full KC name, so the last word of this name is the way that Petlog now refer to her. I have tried online to change this to her actual pet name, but her record reverted to this original word. I wouldn't like this to cause confusion if anything did happen to her. Is it possible to change the dog's name once it has been recorded?

The law is rubbish In principle having the dog chipped is agood idea but there is no law to require any authority to check chips if a dog is found that includes ones found sadly deceased so you would never know. Vets although they can recommend actually would b compromising their client confidentiality to report so can be pushy but that's all. As chips migrate its possible to lose one and ther have been a few albeit very few where problems have occurred due to chipping. I think only time will tell how rare that really is as long a people are aware of reporting . Migration being the biggest problem.  tattoos should imo be an option but that was decided to be a no.
To me we have half a law what is the point if there is no requirement to check . So at the moment a lot of fuss but no real useful teeth

If you can assess the notes box you can put her"call"/"pet" name in there. You might have to upgrade to premium to do this alternatively if you have an hour or to spare you could ring Petlog & explain & they might be able to add Pet/call name to the end of her KC name, always worth a try.

I think you alter things for free but only for 14 days after registration

Thank you Tommee. Unfortunately it was only by following the link on here that I was motivated to try and amend her details. Although I have had her just over a year, I only transferred her chip in Feb. She is on Petlog premium, so I'll give it another go. I don't hold out much hope for the phone. Prob. not worth a fee, she'll just have to have a silly name.

Have you any advice about my Avid chip problem? Eight year old dog, whose chip has moved to his right shoulder, and is only reading on about 4/10 passes - so presumably it is going to fail shortly. The dog is fit and active, but has two major auto immune conditions. He is Obed. trained, and is not an escape artist. His vet seems to be hinting that we wait until it does fail before considering the options.

I would get vet to confirm that he is chipped & that he should not be rechipped in the case that the chip fails to read permanently, location of chip should be included. You have complied with the law, not your fault if the chip fails

Good answer time if it's in his records that chip has migrated and or seems to be failing amd advise is to leave it for now any questions  should the worst occur will avoid the 500 pound fine .However we also need to remember  that although not being bought up at all it is still a fine of up to 5k if so is found without a collar and tag .another reason this is all a mess .anyine ever heard of a fine being given to anyone who dint have a collar and tag ?

Thank you both. He is due for his routine blood test, so I will bring this up with his vet, and ask her if it is possible to endorse his record. She has said that he shouldn't have any more boosters, so I think she might agree to this.
I think we see more dogs without collars and tags than with them. Lots of gundogs in these parts, nearly all use gundog slips.

Odd isn't it considering the law that few think about.wonder of the chip law will go the same way once the media hype has reduced regarding boosters wsava guidelines say no more often than 3 yearly anyway and vaccines Generally last at least 7 years  so should be no need to booster after puppy