JUNE is, once again, National Microchipping Month, which is a campaign that encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership through microchipping as the preferred method of permanent pet identification. The scheme is run by Petlog, which is owned and managed by the Kennel Club.
Petlog is the largest pet database in the UK with over 3.7 million pets and owners registered; every month over 40,000 new pets are added. Last year Petlog handled nearly 100,000 calls relating to lost and found pets through its central reunification service from a call centre in Aylesbury which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
As every year more than 300,000 get lost or are stolen, National Microchipping Month with be running lots of events throughout June to promote animal microchipping and spread the word of just how important it is, and just why every owner should ensure their animal is microchipped.
Petlog is totally independent and not-for-profit and works with nine suppliers who have all chosen Petlog as their preferred database supplier due to its independence, high standards in relation to the Data Protection Act and a no marketing of data policy. Bayer Plc (Tracer), Pet- ID, Datamars, Petdetect, Jecta, Peddymark, Fit & Fertile, Allflex and Core RFID all trust Petlog as their preferred supplier.
Petlog is a founder Member of Europetnet, a group of national and local associations across Europe which register owner information about pets that have been uniquely identified via microchipping. This system works from a European-wide database via a website, www.europetnet.com, which is particularly important due to the increase in use of the pet travel scheme.
Here the user is able to find out information about which country the animal comes from, the associations where it has been registered as well as details about these associations through scanning the microchip and entering it on the website. This information could very well help you to track down the animal’s owner from anywhere across Europe, and Petlog has been successful in reuniting pets Europe-wide since the scheme’s inception.
Under UK law, a stray pet whose owners cannot be contacted has to be rehomed, so it’s vital that veterinary practices try and encourage owners to microchip their pet and keep their details up to date with the Petlog database. For the owner all it takes is a one-off lifetime fee of £10, which upgrades owners to Petlog Premium, which comes with a host of benefits:
■ No change of address fees. If an owner moves home or changes telephone numbers, Petlog updates their records for free. An up-to-date entry on the Petlog database is essential to help reunite pets with their owners.
■ 2nd carer contact details free. As a Petlog Premium member, users can add or amend the contact details of a friend or relative free – a vital back-up if Petlog is unable to reunite owners with their pets for whatever reason.
■ Lost Pet Alert System. Once a Petlog Premium user’s animal is reported missing or stolen, this will activate a 30-mile radius lost pet alert system which highlights missing pets to authorised agents in the area, such as veterinary practices and dog wardens, to ensure that everything is being done to reunite the pet with its owner.
■ No charge for holiday or travel details. If pet owners want to take their animals with them away from home, they can notify Petlog of a temporary address and contact details free. Should a pet stray, he or she will be reunited with the owner wherever they are in Europe.
■ Update records whenever by web or phone.
It is vital that pet owners keep their records as up to date as possible and Petlog has adapted its system to provide complete control 24 hours a day. Through the website, owners can update their records any time of the day or night.
The Petlog Premium Partner Programme is our way of offering vets help so they are able to offer the best possible service to the pet owning public. If surgeries are interested in joining the scheme or wanting to get involved in National Microchipping Month, visit www.petlog.org.uk.
