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A month before it becomes a legal requirement for all dogs to be micro-chipped in England, search councils across Gloucestershire are holding events to allow pet owners to have their dogs chipped for free.
The Forest of Dean District Council has been working in partnership with the Dogs Trust over the past two years to host free dog chipping roadshows to ensure that the majority of dogs in the district are chipped before it becomes law. This direct action has resulted in a reduction in the number of stray dogs being taken to kennels by the Council’s Street Wardens.
Cllr Terry Hale, rx Cabinet Member for the Community said: “From 6 April 2016 all dogs over eight weeks old in England must be microchipped. It generally costs around £20 to have a dog micro-chipped, but we’re hoping that these events will encourage anyone concerned about the cost to turn up and have their dog chipped for free, so they are not breaking the law when the legislation comes into force on the 6 April.”
The Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Group, made up of animal welfare officers from five of Gloucestershire’s district councils, the police, the animal welfare arm of Gloucestershire Trading Standards Service and the RSPCA, has organised the events, which all take place on Wednesday 9 March.
Times and locations of the events are as follows and dogs can only be chipped if they and their owners live in the catchment area of the appropriate council.
| STROUD | Stratford Park Leisure Centre, Stroud | 12.30pm – 5.30pm |
| CHELTENHAM | Cheltenham Animal Shelter | 12noon – 7.00pm |
| COTSWOLDS | Kingshill Sports Complex, Cirencester | 10.00am – 6.30pm |
| FOREST OF DEAN | Hawthorn Pet Supplies, Cinderford | 12noon – 5.00pm |
| GLOUCESTER | Plock Court Tennis Centre | 12noon – 7.00pm |
Alex Myrie, Chair of the Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Group, added: “We deal with hundreds of dog related issues every year. Compulsory microchipping will make it easier for us to return strays, deter theft and ultimately encourage responsible dog ownership.”
At the Gloucester event, advice will also be available for anyone who is thinking of buying a puppy and Gloucestershire Police will be attending all of the venues to raise awareness of sheep worrying.