As one of thousands of dedicated volunteers who frequently search for lost and missing pets, we've witnessed the heartbreaking consequences of dogs that aren’t microchipped firsthand. Many dogs sadly aren't reunited with their owners due to the absence of a sufficient tracking system, even in the era of compulsory microchipping. The lack of a national registry for dogs creates unnecessary stress on already overburdened rescue centers and kennels.

Reintroducing mandatory dog licensing is a crucial step in alleviating this issue. Not only would penalties for owning unlicensed dogs act as a deterrent, but generated funds could also be directed towards improving the dog warden service and covering the running costs of rescue centers. This is not a new idea; dog licensing was once a norm, and it's time to revisit this responsibility.

While microchipping has been beneficial in many cases, the lack of a local, central database has rendered it less efficient in the UK. Thus, we propose the reimplementation of compulsory dog licensing and the creation of a national database to better care for our four-legged friends. 

One of the UK's largest microchipping databases, reports that over 25,000 pets have gone missing in the UK since January 2023. Between January 2023 and June 2024, nearly 5,000 dogs and over 20,000 cats were reported missing.

Our personal connection to this issue drives our passion and conviction that this change is necessary. Dogs are not just pets; they are family. Let's ensure they are safe. Please support our cause by signing this petition. Let's bring about this change for our beloved canine companions.