Battersea urges compulsory microchipping
Battersea is making the call at the start of Microchipping Month, which runs throughout June. Each day Battersea receives an average of 11 stray dogs, many of which never see their owners again, but microchipping would dramatically increase their chances of being reunited.
A microchip is a tiny chip inserted into the scruff of a dog’s neck by a trained professional in a simple procedure. The chip has a unique code which when scanned with a special reader can be matched to the owner's details on a central database. Rescue centres, animal wardens and vets are all able to scan for this permanent form of identification.
Battersea’s Head of Intake & Assessing Liz McWalter says: “Every time a dog arrives at our door without a microchip I am dismayed. It is such a simple, quick, cheap and painless procedure, and one that can make the difference between never seeing your dog again, and being reunited quickly. I would urge everyone to chip their pet straight away.”
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
