Why this matters to me

Losing a pet is an emotional ordeal that no one should endure, yet it happened to me. My dog, Alfie, is currently missing, and through this distressing experience, I've come to a painful realisation about the gaps in our system. I discovered that dogs could easily pass through various service providers without anyone verifying their microchip registration. This oversight dramatically reduces the chances of our beloved dogs being identified and returned to their owners.

In the interest of animal welfare and the joy of returning a lost companion to their home, we propose a simple yet effective solution: mandatory microchip verification for all dogs at initial point of contact with service providers. Any veterinarian, groomer, boarding or pet care service should be required to scan the animal's microchip during its initial consultation. The microchip data should then be checked against an authorised nationwide database to verify ownership. 

The impact of such a measure is significant. According to Petfinder, microchipped dogs are 2.5 times more likely to be returned to their owners than those without a microchip. However, this benefit is only realised if microchips are routinely scanned and checked. Implementing this policy would not only aid in reuniting families but also act as a deterrent to dog theft, as unlawful transfers would be far harder to carry out undetected.

Introducing this protocol would require training, resources and the implementation of a nationwide database, but the reward of seeing dogs safely returned to their families is without measure. It is crucial for service providers, legislatures, and communities to come together to enact this necessary change. 

Please support this initiative to safeguard our furry friends and ensure a swift return when they're lost. Sign the petition to call for mandatory microchip verification for dogs, and let's make sure no family suffers the unbearable loss of a missing dog.