Many animals are lost or stolen every year and never recovered. 
We want ALL animals to be scanned for a microchip whenever they are seen by a vet, animal practitioner or animal charity. If an animal is found to have a chip then the registered owner should be notified within 24 hours of scanning with the location of their animal and of the situation surrounding the scan, Using the contact details held by the company registering the chip. For example; your Labrador Bessie was scanned today at Moorview Vets, Melrose at 13.43.
Any animal found to be chipped should require the person presenting the animal to prove their identity as the registered keeper or the animal should be retained as a stolen item until the registered keeper has been contacted. 
It is NOT acceptable for stolen/lost chipped animals to be given back to persons who are not the registered owners without contact being made with the registered owner. 
We will NOT continue to accept this. 
A stolen bike, car, tv, watch, phone would not be returned to someone who cannot prove possession when the item has been registered as stolen. So why would we do this with living beings? Members of our families?!