Why microchip?

Thousands of pet dogs are lost every year.  Even the most careful and loving owners can lose their dogs.  Sadly, many of these dogs and owners are never reunited.

The Bath & North East Somerset Dog Warden Service believes that the best way to ensure you find a missing dog is to have it microchipped - implanted with a special microchip 'tag'. It is quite simply the quickest and surest way of getting any lost dog back to its owner safe and sound.

How does it work?

It's simple.  Once the dog has been microchipped it has its own unique code number.  The owner's name and address is entered next to this number on the national PetLog computer database.  If a lost or stolen animal is found, a scanner passes over the implanted microchip and immediately reveals the number.  It then takes just a short while to check the number with PetLog database to find details of the owner who can then be contacted.

How can microchipping help to find my lost or stolen dog?

The PetLog microchipping scheme provides a fast, foolproof means of identifying your dog wherever it is found nationwide.

Most welfare organisations, vets and dog wardens carry scanners which can read the microchips details and access the PetLog database.

Is microchipping easy to do?

Yes.  It's no more complicated than a normal injection.  A tiny microchip - the size of a grain of rice - is painlessly inserted under your dog's skin, usually at the back of the neck.  Once inserted it cannot move about or be seen, but can be read by the scanner through the skin.

How much does it cost?

A one off payment of about £15 - £25 (prices vary in different parts of the country) will get your pet microchipped and on the PetLog database for life. Owner's details can be quickly amended if an address changes.

Residents of and visitors to Bath & North East Somerset can have their dogs chipped for just £20 including VAT.

Where can I have my dog microchipped?

Simply contact your local veterinary surgeon who will be able to advise you, or if you live in Bath & North East Somerset contact the Dog Warden who will even visit your home during working hours to microchip your dog.

My dog has a collar tag so why should it be microchipped?

By law all dogs have to wear a collar with a tag showing the name and address of the owner, but accidents do happen.  Collars break, identification tags fall off and get lost.  Microchips identify your pet permanently and harmlessly.

Why should I worry about losing my pet dog?

There is always a chance that the most reliable and well cared for dog will go missing or be stolen.  Home loving dogs are the most likely to get lost because they don't know their way around the area.

Is the microchip system well established?

More than 750,000 animals have already been microchipped in the UK.  It the intention of Bath & North East Somerset's Dog Warden Service to microchip as many dogs who live in or visit this area as possible.