Assembly Member Paul Davies has teamed up with the Kennel Club and Petlog to urge all pet owners to have their animals microchipped as part of National Microchipping Month.
Mr Davies hopes that the month will encourage more owners to get their pets microchipped – saving themselves heartache and councils money.
“In Pembrokeshire alone the council estimates that it will spend a shocking £3,700 a month homing stray dogs this year,” said Mr Davies.
“And in the past five years it has spent a staggering £176,000 on kennels for stray dogs, yet this problem could simply be overcome by having your dog microchipped for as little as £15.
As part of the month-long campaign, Mr Davies met representatives from the Kennel Club and was presented with a large cheque, displaying the astonishing £419,564 that Welsh local authorities could save each year if dogs were microchipped and could be returned home more easily.
Mr Davies said: “Microchipping is a huge part of being a responsible dog owner. Not only can it mean the difference between being reunited with a lost pet or never seeing them again, but it could also save our local authority hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. I therefore urge both vets and pet owners to spread the word of just how vital microchipping is.”
Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club’s Communications Director, said: “The importance of having your beloved pet microchipped cannot be underestimated, and throughout June we aim to show more people than ever just how quick and easy the process is. We are grateful to Paul for helping to highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership and microchipping as the preferred method of identification.”
Petlog will be running further events throughout June to promote National Microchipping Month – to find out more information or to get involved visit www.nationalmicrochippingmonth.org.uk
