Jerry Green Dog Rescue Welcomes New Microchipping Law
News release
6th February 2013
Leading animal charity Jerry Green Dog Rescue has given its backing to new rules which will introduce compulsory microchipping for pet dogs.
The charity’s Chief Executive David Foulds has welcomed the announcement that from April 2016 owners will be legally obliged to microchip their dog or face a fine of up to £500.
The proposals aims to cut the number of stray dogs: Government figures show that more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, costing the taxpayer and charities £57m annually.
Around 6,000 dogs have to be put down every year in the UK, though Jerry Green Dog Rescue – which has centres in Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Nottnghamshire – looks after lost and abandoned dogs until they are rehomed.
“We welcome compulsory microchip legislation, which is something we’ve been supporting and lobbying for through the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH),” said Mr Foulds.
“All our centres are equipped to microchip dogs, as having a microchip greatly increases the likelihood of lost pets being reunited with their owners.
“This year, in response to the passing of this Bill, we will carry out all microchipping for free to encourage people to abide by the law.”
Microchipping involves inserting a small electronic chip the size of a grain of rice between the dog’s shoulder blades using a sterile needle.
The chip carries information about the dog, including the name and address of its owner, and can be read using a simple scanner available at most veterinary surgeries and dog rescue centres.
The procedure does not require an anaesthetic and is no more painful than a standard vaccination.
From 6th April 2016 any owner whose dog is found without a chip and can be traced by local authorities will be given a short amnesty period in which to have the dog microchipped.
Notes to editors:
Jerry Green Dog Rescue was founded in 1961 in Broughton, Lincolnshire and is now one of the UK’s largest dog rescue charities. It has rescue centres in five locations:
- Broughton near Brigg, North Lincolnshire
- Algarkirk near Boston, Lincolnshire
- Blidworth near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
- Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire
- Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a caring ethos which puts the dogs in its care at the centre of everything it does. It also operates a unique policy whereby prospective adopters are not shown the dogs in their kennels; instead the charity introduces individual dogs to adopters in a neutral environment which is less stressful for the dogs.
People who offer to rehome a Jerry Green dog do so as adopters, not owners. Jerry Green Dog Rescue retains ownership of its dogs and insists on a number of meetings and home visits before a dog is adopted.
The charity receives no official funding, nor does it receive any money from the National Lottery Fund. This means it is dependent on the generosity of public and corporate donors and sponsors.
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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