Improving chances for lost dogs
Petlog is to announce its collaboration with both DogLost and Scanner Angel at the Kennel Club's (KC) Crufts 2013 event.
The collaboration is hoped to give lost dogs a higher chance of being reunited with their owners, through the use of microchipping, a lost and found database and a nationwide team of search volunteers.
Celebrating the collaboration at the Cruft's Petlog stand will be two German shepherd dog puppies and an English springer spaniel puppy.
Bandit, Daley and Alfie have come from West Midlands Police and are each registered with Petlog, the UK's largest lost and found database for microchipped pets.
Petlog, which is run 24-seven by the KC, safeguards about seven million pet contact details. When a pet is found, the database helps reunite that pet with its owner.
Soon volunteers from DogLost, a UK-wide lost dog search team, and Scanner Angel, the missing pet microchip scanner, will be able to help in Petlog's search for dog owners.
The new process involves the owner filing an initial missing pet report to Petlog. These details will then be checked and a confirmation email will be sent to the owner with a direct link to the DogLost website.
The owner can then register to DogLost so that a team of volunteers can begin the search for that pet. Scanner Angel will simultaneously be updated – alerting any person that then scans that pet that there is a lost alert connected to it.
Celia Walsom, an executive at Petlog, commented: "With the impending change in legislation regarding compulsory microchipping, we are delighted that we can offer this end-to-end service for dogs. We know only too well the stress that losing a pet can cause.
"The DogLost network of volunteers are based all around the country and thanks to them and the unique intelligence of the Angel Scanners, our customers can be safe in the knowledge that we are doing all we can to help reunite them with their dog."
Crufts is taking place between Thursday, March 7, and Sunday, March 10, at Birmingham NEC. Highlights from the arena programme will be televised each evening.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
