Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Confusion over Petlog database upgrade
Missing Pets GB urged owners to check their account as a matter or urgency.
Firm issues statement after claims owners’ details were 'misplaced'.

Pet owners registered with the microchip database Petlog are being urged to create a new account after an ‘upgrade’ led to claims that people could see other owners and animals’ details.

Petlog has posted a statement on its website seeking to reassure its customers that their details are safe. But it appears the issues are ongoing. 

One customer commented on the firm’s Facebook page that she had re-set her account as instructed ‘but had now been matched with a complete stranger’.

Another wrote: “I have 8 microchips...none on my account!! No idea when this will be fixed and in the current climate of pet theft, this is a massive massive cock up! So now not only are pet owners constantly worried about their pet being stolen, the very system that offers a glimmer of hope of getting them back is flawed!”

It comes at a time when dog thefts in the UK are on the rise. Figures released by DogLost - the UK’s largest lost and stolen dog service – revealed that pet thefts rose from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 in 2020. 

Missing Pets GB urged owners to check their account as a matter of urgency. 

A Petlog spokesperson said: “Petlog’s online services and website have been upgraded. We would like to reassure customers that all details are securely registered on our microchip database and our 24/7 reunification service is running as usual. 

“As part of this upgrade, we have asked our customers to follow steps to create a new online self-serve account with us, we are not asking customers to re-register their pets. There is a step-by-step guide in the FAQs page on how to do create your new online account.

“There are some customers – for instance, those whose details may have changed or not been checked on our database since their pet was first registered with us - who may be unable to immediately view their pets’ details when they set up their new online account. 

“This is because we are committed to protecting their data, and we want to verify details, in some cases, before we continue the online setup process - just as when setting up an online bank account a bank may verify identification information before you can view and access your records.

The spokesperson continued: “Customers whose pets aren’t displaying on their online account can fill in the ‘can’t see my pet’ form and our team will review their details so their online account can be updated and all of the information about their pet can be displayed."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.