Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s animal warden Mandy Dorman sees 150 stray dogs every year, and many are never identified. But this Christmas, Mandy had an opportunity to reunite one prized pooch with his very relieved owner – all thanks to a tiny microchip under the dog’s skin.

Kipper, a Patterdale terrier who went missing from his Dorking home in March, was handed into Wokingham police station by a member of the public. Police alerted animal warden Mandy, who scanned the dog and revealed his microchip, before taking him to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home at Old Windsor. She then looked up Kipper’s owners on the register of microchipped dogs – and Kipper was able to go home after nine months away from his family.

“Kipper went missing in March 2006. I had tied him up outside my office, and I heard a car pull up outside and then drive away very fast. When I got outside he was gone,” says Chris Hulme, Kipper’s owner. “I knew that if he had been picked up by the police, someone could have traced him with the microchip. But I had given up hope of him being found.”

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, and is placed under the dog’s skin between the shoulder blades in a simple and painless procedure. The microchip carries an identification code that is held in a central database with the owner’s details, so that if the dog is found and scanned, it can be identified and reunited with its owner. Most rescue kennels, vets and dog wardens carry scanners to check for microchips.

“I was delighted when I found Kipper had a microchip,” said Mandy. “I knew I could almost certainly reunite him with his owner. And the microchip also meant that if anyone else came forward to claim the dog, I would know whether they were genuine, or someone who might have stolen him.”

Dog thefts are a growing problem, with hundreds of dogs stolen in the UK every year. Kipper himself had been stolen twice before, but both times he was found shortly afterwards.

“Kipper is a handsome dog and very friendly, so I suppose he is an easy target for thieves,” said Chris. “The second time he was stolen, the police asked me to get him microchipped, and I did, straight away. I’m so glad I did – I would never have got him back this time if I hadn’t. I’m really impressed at how well the microchip worked.”

Executive member for Wokingham community safety Barrie Patman said: “So many missing dogs never find their way home. It is really encouraging that sometimes the animal warden is able to trace an owner in this way. I do hope it will encourage more dog owners to have their pets microchipped.”

The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home at Old Windsor also recommend microchipping. They always have between 70 and 100 dogs at the centre whose owners cannot be traced and who are waiting for new homes.

Having your dog microchipped is easy and inexpensive. For more information about microchipping, and other tips on keeping your pets safe, please call animal warden Mandy Dorman on (0118) 974 6382 or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/dogsafety for more information.

Wokingham District Council