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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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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.