New Veterinary Microchip Data service launches
Alarming research released by the Dogs Trust last year found that 46 per cent of dog owners did not keep their microchip details updated.
A new Veterinary Microchip Data service has launched today (5 April), allowing clients' contact information to be automatically renewed via their veterinary practice.
The launch coincides with new rules due to come into force tomorrow (6 April), making dog microchipping compulsory in England, Scotland and Wales.
The new service has been developed by Central Veterinary Services, who run and manage the National Veterinary Database (NVD®). It offers seamless registration on its national database for newly microchipped pets and, once registered, clients need only keep their veterinary practice informed of any changes to their address or telephone numbers.
NVD® reinforces the relationship clients have with their vets and helps to ensure that, as well as being microchipped, every pet is also registered with a veterinary practice that can help with reunification.
The introduction of a synchronised system that coordinates modern practice management systems with NVD® goes a long way towards addressing the large percentage of microchipped pets with out-of-date microchip contact details.
Alarming research released by the Dogs Trust last year found that 46 per cent of dog owners did not keep their microchip details updated. This is particularly concerning as 22 per cent also admitted their dog had gone missing within 48 hours of moving house.
Keeping microchip contact details up-to-date is essential as there is often only a brief period where reunification is possible before lost pets may be put to sleep. In addition, new rules coming into effect tomorrow (6 April) make it a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and contact details kept updated.
Focusing the service around veterinary practices also brings other benefits, including vets' local knowledge (of pet owner's friends and relatives, for example) and a detailed knowledge of the pet's medical history.
Initially, the new service has been implemented with AT Veterinary Systems, a long established and leading provider of management systems for the veterinary profession. It is made available through other management systems upon request.
To find out more about the service, practices can visit stand 219 at BSAVA Congress this week or contact Central Veterinary Services on 01359 245310 or email nvd@centralvet.com
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
