The idea behind compulsory microchipping is to significantly increase the welfare standards of dogs in Ireland, reduce the number of dogs ending up in shelters and help reunite lost animals sooner.
Microchipping Laws in Ireland:
Important Information
- Any Dogs 12 weeks of age, or before they are moved from their birth home, must be microchipped and registered on a Government Approved Database
- You must have a certificate from the Database proving your dog is microchipped and registered
- You must keep contact details/change of address up to date on the Database
- When buying or selling a puppy, they must be microchipped and registered
- You must inform the Database when you buy or sell a puppy
I remember myself some five years ago sitting in a Vets surgery in New Zealand preparing to move to Ireland with one big tough Staffy and our two cats.
Our Staffy was already microchipped and it was our cat's turn. She turned her head into the corner and cried for them...she had to be taken out of the room, bless her.
This was my introduction to the small, almost grain of rice-sized, object which holds 15 unique numbers and is known as a microchip.
It is covered in a fine coating similar to pacemakers which stops the body from rejecting it.
A syringe is used to insert it under the dog's skin beneath the shoulder blades. It is clean, quick, and relatively painless; nothing a treat afterward won't cure!
The dog doesn't notice it’s there and while you may notice it occasionally when rubbing or patting the dog, the only difference it should make in your life is positive.
Microchips are the voice your dog doesn't have when they are lost or stolen.
When dogs who are microchipped and registered are picked up, the microchip can be "read" by a chip scanner. Dog Wardens, Vets, Animal Rescues, and Gardai will generally have one of these.
When passed over the microchip it reveals the unique 15-digit number, this number is then run through a database.
Europe has one central database which all four Government approved databases inIrelandare affiliated with.
This database will hold the number and the details of the dog; its address, name, and phone number of owners.
You are also able to add any special health problems to the database details.
So, now you are likely sitting there thinking well how much is this going to cost me?
Microchipping varies from free to €40 per dog and registration is around €15 per dog, with places like Fido sending out a voucher for a free bag of Dog Food which can be redeemed at Petworld.
Compared to the €5000 fine for not complying with the new and improved Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, that doesn’t seem like a bad deal, especially for the priceless peace of mind in knowing there’s a way you can find your dog if it does become lost or stolen.
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