Isle of Wight Branch

Reg. Charity No. 205311

To report stray or injured animals, or cases of cruelty, please ring the National 24 hr Cruelty and Advice Line:  0300 1234 999

 

MICROCHIPPING

 

Thousands of pets are lost every year and many are never reunited with their owners.

Microchipping is now recognised as the most effective and secure way of permanently identifying a pet

 

The RSPCA believes that the best way to make sure you find a missing pet is to have it microchipped. A tiny microchip - the size of a grain of rice- is inserted under your pet’s skin which acts as a special “tag”. The microchip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a scanner.

 

We can microchip & register your pet at our Centre for a one off cost of £12.00. There is always a chance that the most well cared for and reliable animal will go missing or even be stolen. Why not give yourself peace of mind and get your animal chipped - Don't wait until it's too late.

 

Q How does microchipping work?

 

A Once an animal has been microchipped, it has its own unique code number . The owner’s details and the code are registered on to the national database and, if a lost or stolen animal is found, the code will be revealed by passing a scanner over the microchip. Then it’s just a matter of matching the code with the national database to find contact details for the owner. There are several databases in the UK. Your registration document will tell you which database your animal is registered with. If you need to make changes to your animals registered details, such as moving house, change of telephone number or that you have re-homed your pet to some-one else please make sure you contact your database operator.  

 

Q Is microchipping easy to do?

 

A Yes, it’s as simple as an injection. Using a specially designed implanting device the microchip is injected through a sterile needle between the shoulder blades under your pet’s skin.  The procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination.  

 

Q Who has a scanner?

 

A Most veterinary practises, Local Authorities and animal welfare groups. If a stray animal or animal that has been involved in a road traffic accident has been microchipped it makes the return and notification to the owner much easier and quicker.

 

Q How much does it cost?

 

A At our re-homing Centre at Godshill it will cost just £12.00. Prices may well be higher through other organisations or veterinary clinics.

 

 

Q My pet has got a collar tag so why should it be microchipped?

 

A The control of dogs order (1992) stipulates that by law all dogs have to wear a collar with a tag showing the name & address of the owner. But collars can break and identification tags fall off and get lost.

 

Cat owners may choose for their cat to wear a collar for many reasons , ie for magnetic access through a cat flap, for identifying to neighbours that the cat is owned, and/or to reduce their cat’s ability to catch wildlife. We see many painful injuries as a direct result of cats being fitted with elasticated collars. If you choose for your cat to wear a collar we advise that you fit a quality collar one that has a quick release safety buckle to ensure the clasp comes apart if the cat were to get caught up. Collars should always be inspected on a regular basis. Collars that are too tight or loose can cause problems. Owners should be able to get 1-2 fingers underneath the collar. Collars can cause irritation to the surrounding skin.  Owners need to weight up the risks against the benefits before putting a collar on their cat.

 

We feel that the best form of identification is microchipping and therefore owners should not need to rely on a collar.

 

Q Is the microchip system well established?

 

A Since being introduced in 1989, over 4 million dogs & cats have been microchipped and the number continues to grow. It is the RSPCA’s policy to microchip all dogs & cats they rehome.

 

 

Q Which animals can be microchipped?

 

A Most animals - but it is most commonly used on dogs, cats, horses, rabbits & ferrets. When adopting an animal from the our Centre the adoption fee will include the cost of microchipping (where appropriate).