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Quarter of dogs still not chipped, vets estimate
dog being microchipped
Nearly 90 per cent of vets surveyed thought no more than 75 per cent of the dogs they saw were chipped.
Less than a year until new law comes into force

At least 25 per cent of dogs are still not microchipped, according to estimates from BVA members who took part in the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey.

Microchipping of dogs in England is set to become compulsory in April 2016 - less than a year away. BVA says more work needs to be done to get the message out to owners.

Small animal and mixed practice vets were asked: 'What percentage of the dogs you see would you estimate are mircochipped?'

Out of the 378 vets in England, Scotland and Wales who answered the question, 87 per cent thought that no more than three quarters were chipped.

Other findings revealed:
  • 41 per cent of vets thought no more than half the dogs they saw were microchipped
  • 12 per cent said no more than a quarter
  • 2 per cent thought no more than a tenth

BVA's president John Blackwell said the organisation is pleased compulsory microchipping will soon be in place, but added, "with the vast majority of vets estimating that a quarter of dogs are unchipped there is no room for complacency".

Mr Blackwell said the BVA will spend the next nine months working with UK veterinary practices, animal welfare groups and governments to ensure a trusted system is in place that works effectively for dogs, owners and vets.

Microchipping posters for waiting rooms are free for practices to download from the BVA website.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.