Not to microchip my dog?

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

So the new law starts this month saying all dogs must be microchipped. I have a dog who is not microchipped and I am hesitant to do so because:

1. he is 12 years old and not the 'buggering off' sort. In fact, in 12 years I have never lost him (he is a complete mummy's boy and just wants to be wherever I am).

2. the microchipping needle is large and likely to be quite an unpleasant experience for him.

3. an article in the independent says that a senior vet advises people with puppies or small dogs (mine is small) to ignore the law as microchipping can cause problems. Not exactly sure what these problems are though. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ten-new-laws-that-come-into-force-in-april-2016-and-how-they-affect-you-a6964881.html

It seems a bit daft to put my dog through it at his age when I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to lose him. AIBU?

But if people steal then dump or dog runs away......

or god forbid he/she dies and they dump the body, if there's a chip they at least can inform the owner.

not knowing is always worse.

its not a garuntee no but we have all heard the stories of amazing reunions years later and hundreds of miles away.

it's just an extra chance. and why wouldn't you take it

You don't get to choose, you need to either do it or get an official exception (unlikely) or break the law and face the consequences.

Our pup never even blinked when he got his done.

We picked up a really friendly white staffie. In the street last week. Gorgeous dog, clearly a family pet, but no collar, no chip, no way of returning him to his owner. We asked around, checked the neighbourhood - no one claimed him. We took him to the vets who passed him on to the city dog warden. Sadly, this is the scenario you could face OP. At the very least get a tag and collar!

Vet will likely insist on it. Running away isn't the only danger, why on earth wouldn't you want to be able to identify him? Our lab was chipped at 9 so fairly old for her breed. Vet did it on a routine visit after realising that she wasn't. She yelped, gave the vet a dirty look then saw the nail clippers and muzzle come out and suddenly it was the least of her problems. (She has to be muzzled for nail clipping because she takes the clippers from the vet and won't give them back. V funny but gets old lol)

She takes them and won't give them back? Sorry - you may be fed up with it but I think that's hilarious.

I don't agree that it should be mandatory. .just because something is law doesn't make it right. Would you all agree to micro chipping your kids too? What if they get lost?

It's quick, not very painful and could save your dogs life. I don't know why anyone would not get it done! Madness.

As others have said, you can't guarantee your dog isn't going to either run away or get stolen. My little Jack Russell is microchipped, she had it done as a puppy and didn't notice it going in. Millions of microchips have been done around the world and very very few problems have been recorded. It's a no brainier really

mum that's a bit dramatic, if a child gets lost, the parent is usually close by. If a dog gets stolen or runs away, it's could be miles away and it can't speak and tell you where it lives.

I don't think any of your reasons are valid enough to not have your dog microchipped OP.

Well kids too get lost and abducted, trafficked,

they get brain washed in long term abductions don't they? lose all sense. of who they are etc

mot sure how it would work in terms of children escaping abusive homes/parents or adoption etc

but kids at least can memorise their parents names and addresses.

dogs can't. and collars are easily removed

how can something that can mean your children aren't left heartbroken when their dog disappears forever be a bad thing?

Ignore that vet in the paper - he's a fruit loop. Probably thinks they're brain control put in by Big Microchip to give us all secret cancer.

If it was the veterinary consensus I'd lend it weigh, but not just one known-unreliable guy. Ask your actual vet about it - they might well have some numbing gel or tips to give him a more pleasant experience.

I do get your reasoning but my dog weighed about 1.5kg at the time of having it done and didn't flinch. I can feel it now, he's 5 years old, he doesn't notice a thing.

But if your dog has a collar with phone number on, someone can just phone the number and dog be reunited that way?

Collars can be lost or they can come off when a dog strays, then there really is much less hope of being reunited if they aren't microchipped.

If someone steals a dog they will chuck the collar.

If someone is going to remove the collar they aren't likely to take the dog to the vet so he can be micro chipped. Either your dog is found by someone nice who will phone a number on the collar or he's not

and if you don't put the collar on or someone removed it to set your dog free as a joke then what?

if said dog is hit by a car and the collar is lost?

collar on properly that should say. dogs cab get out if them.of it's too loose

I just think it should be the owners choice, not forced on us for no real valid reasons

If I found a collarless stray dog I would try and catch it (if it seemed the reasonable type) and get it to the vets for scanning.

or you took ot off at home and teh dog legged it put the door when you take out the bins and sirens or fireworks etc scared it

Micro chipping is not 100% either, the chips can migrate or don't work

It's a very very low risk procedure which costs - what - less than £20 for the animal's life and is an extra benefit? I'd have it done even if there were no legal requirement.

It just seems invasive