SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: More chances to get your dog microchipped for FREE!

DOG owners are being given another opportunity to get their pets microchipped for free – thanks to South Somerset District Council’s countryside rangers, enforcement officers and the Dogs Trust.

After more than 170 dogs were microchipped at two events at Yeovil Country Park, the council has added two more dates and decided to offer free microchipping at Ham Hill Country Park.

Jude Greer and her team from Dogs Trust will be at Ham Hill Country Park outside the Ranger’s Office on Sunday, March 1, 2015, between 11am and 3pm and on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, between 9am to 12pm.

Jude said: “Microchipping is a safe, effective and permanent way to link the dog and its keeper.

“Dogs Trust has long campaigned for all dogs to be microchipped to ensure lost or stolen dogs can be reunited with their keepers as quickly as possible.

“So we are delighted with the proposed new dog chipping legislation - from April 2016. To ensure everybody will be able to comply with this law, we have considerably increased our free chipping across the country, including the roaming chipping teams helping local communities with their free microchipping events.”

The council’s environment and economic development spokesman, Cllr Jo Roundell Greene, said: “We were delighted with how many people have attended the two sessions at Yeovil Country Park to have their dog microchipped by the Dogs Trust.

“Having your pet chipped will enable us return your dog to you if it gets lost and picked up by one of our enforcement officers.”

Currently all dogs must have a name tag but these can easily come off or get lost. Microchips are more secure and can hold all sorts of information, including details of the legal owner.

If a dog is found straying, vets, local authorities and the police can easily scan their microchip, establish who the dog belongs to and quickly contact them to come and collect their pet.

South Somerset District Council’s enforcement officers will also be selling name tags at the cost of £4 on the day.

PHOTOS: These were taken during the microchipping event at Yeovil Country Park on Friday, February 20, 2015.

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