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Microchipping reform to speed up pet reunions
Databases will need to include a field indicating if the pet has been reported missing.
A new standardised process will improve accuracy of microchip information.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that new reforms to the pet microchipping process will reunite thousands of lost and stolen animals.

The new microchipping system is designed to standardise database operator processes, as well as improving the accuracy of microchip information. It will also make microchip records easier to access.

As part of the measures, there will be more opportunities for users to flag potentially suspicious activity to deter pet theft.

Database operators will be required to include a field indicating whether a pet has been reported as missing. They must improve the process of transferring keepership, by giving the current keeper 28 days to object to changes.

Operators will also need to have functionality in place to prevent the duplication of records.

The new reforms will see the creation of a centralised portal which all approved users can access. This means that veterinary professionals, local authorities and the police can each search microchip records quickly, rather than contacting separate databases.

These reformations to the microchipping system are based on recommendations made by the Pet Theft Taskforce, and form part of the government’s pledge of an Action Plan for Animal Welfare.

The commitments form part of the government’s wider efforts to improve animal welfare, which has included compulsory cat microchipping from 10 June 2024.

A government consultation found that over 96 per cent of respondents supported the new reforms to the microchipping system.

Lord Douglas Miller, animal welfare minister, said: “These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it quicker for vets, local authorities and police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard pets from theft and increase the likelihood of lost pets being returned home.”  

British Veterinary Association (BVA) president Anna Judson said: “These new measures are a positive step forwards and the new portal should help vet teams to check multiple databases quickly, identify and reunite cats and dogs with their owners and provide prompt treatment where needed.”

A spokesperson from the National Veterinary Data Service (NVDS) said: "The team at the National Veterinary Data Service welcomes the opportunity to improve pet reunification through the changes announced by Defra.

“As a database operator, we believe a flag to indicate a pet is missing and a central portal to authorise access to the information will be useful tools to help reunite owners and their pets even more efficiently."

Image © Defra

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
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Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.