Dog owners in Liverpool are being urged to be responsible and have their pets micro-chipped.
The City Council, working with the Merseyside Dog Forum and in partnership with the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust, is holding two events to give owners the opportunity to have their dog micro-chipped for free.
In addition veterinary charity the PDSA will be offering free health checks for dogs, which will cover general fitness as well as key concerns such as obesity and dental disease.
On Tuesday 15 October, the road show will be in Walton Park at the Sports Centre Car Park and on Tuesday 22 October it will be in Belle Vale Park.
Micro chipping, health checks, advice on neutering and responsible dog ownership will be available between 9am and 4pm.
A dog must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be “chipped”. The dog should be accompanied by is owner or a responsible adult acting on the owner’s behalf.
The micro-chip is the size of a grain of rice and can be quickly implanted. It stores a unique number which is recorded on a national database and owners can be reunited with their pets if the dogs go missing.
Dogs that have been micro chipped and are found to be straying will, on the first occasion, be returned to their owner by the Animal Warden.
In cases where the owner cannot be contacted then the dog will be taken to authorised kennels. In order for the owner to subsequently reclaim the dog, all costs and kennelling fees will need to be paid in full before the dog can be released.
Any dog owner from Liverpool or from any part of Greater Merseyside (Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Halton, Warrington and West Lancashire) is eligible to have their dogs chipped or given a health check.
Councillor Tim Moore, city council cabinet member, said; “These roadshows are part of our drive to encourage responsible dog ownership.
“Micro-chipping is an important way in which owners can look after their pets and the government has put forward proposals which could see it becoming compulsory by 2016 so it is in the interests of owners to take advantage of this free offer.”
Dog owners who have further enquiries should contact Liverpool Direct, Tel, 233 3001, who will be able to put you in touch with a member of the Animal Warden Team.
