27/05/2021
PLEASE SHARE PUBLICLY AND WIDELY, NOT JUST TO MISSING/STOLEN/FOUND PETS PAGES- EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE
This, along with compulsory microchipping for cats, as well as dogs, is good. A step in the right direction. But it doesn't go far enough. Yes, owners should chip their pets. Yes, vets and rescue centres should be legally required to scan all pets brought into their care.
But what about all the animals who have gone missing and been 'taken in' by well-meaning people who think they are strays? What about the pets who have been stolen and sold on, particularly since the start of the pandemic when prices and demand have gone through the roof, creating ridiculous demand for pets?
As lockdowns ease and weather improves, as people start to visit family and friends, particularly the elderly or people who may not see social media posts about missing/stolen pets, or have not seen posters put up locally as they may have shielding or not going out much, PLEASE encourage them to have new pets scanned for a chip. Any vet will do this for free, or numerous volunteer scanners locally.
The whole chip and scan system falls down if pet owners don't play their part. Even if you know your pet is chipped to you, PLEASE ask your vet to scan at annual check-ups- this will give you peace of mind that your pets chip hasn't migrated or failed. And of course, make sure chip details are up-to-date.
There's so much more we can do to help reunite beloved pets with their owners.
This may not bring our Blue home. But if we can reunite just one pet with their heartbroken family it will be worth you taking a few seconds to share- you never know who you could be helping 😻