Owners face hefty fines if dogs not microchipped from April 1

DUBLIN based animal charity the Irish Blue Cross has issued a reminder that, from April 1, all dogs must be microchipped or potentially face a hefty fine of up to €5,000.

Over the coming weeks, the familiar Irish Blue Cross mobile clinics will be stationed at a number of sites outside Maxi Zoo and Petworld pet stores across Dublin, providing a chipping service to dog owners on low incomes. The dates are:

• Saturday 2^nd April, Maxi Zoo, Unit 1, Arena Retail Park, Whitestown Way, Tallaght
• Saturday 9^th April, Maxi Zoo, Unit 4 Retail Park, Liffey Valley
• Saturday 16th April, Maxi Zoo, Unit 414 Blanchardstown Retail Park
• Saturday 23^rd April Petworld, Omni Park Centre, Santry

The Blue Cross says that a simple microchip can prevent the heartache of losing your pet. If the finders of a stray or lost dog are unable to locate his/her owners, it may be put to sleep or rehomed elsewhere. It points out that a microchip can save a lot of owners upset and tears by identifying the pet and facilitating its return to its family home.

“There is a steady uptake of dog microchipping at our Inchicore clinic as more owners become aware of their duty under the new microchipping legislation,” said Dr Bairbre Sharkey, head of veterinary services at the charity. “Approximately 40 per cent of our clients currently have their dogs microchipped, indicating there is some way to go to ensure that any time a pet goes missing we can return them to their rightful owner.”

She added: “The implications of having all dogs microchipped are huge. For example, the number of dogs euthanised because an owner could not be found would be negligible.”

The Irish Blue Cross has been encouraging microchipping since the 1990s, when the service was first introduced, and strongly supports the new legislation.  

Further information from www.bluecross.ie