Dogs Trust to host microchipping event at Thurso and Wick

29th May 2014

Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity with two rehoming centres in Scotland, has teamed up with The Highland Council to provide free microchipping for all dogs in the Highlands.

From 6th June -10th June, roving teams of Dogs Trust representatives will be spending a week touring the Highlands, providing free chips to local dog owners at five different locations. At each event, Dogs Trust representatives will also be on hand to answer any general queries from dog owners whilst reminding them of the importance of keeping the contact details on their dog's microchipping database up-to-date.

Microchipping is a simple and effective tool which helps to rapidly reunite lost or straying pets with their owners. This in turn reduces the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep and saves money for Local Authorities by cutting kennelling costs.

The free sessions will take place at the following locations:

Friday 6th June - Thurso & Wick
Thurso - Lorry park opposite Riverside Replicas Shop from 9am-12 noon
Wick - Riverside area next to Riverside Walk. Near Macleay Lane from 2- 5pm

Saturday 7th - Golspie and Dingwall
Golspie - Community Centre, Golspie High School from 9am -12pm
Dingwall - Tesco, Dingwall from 2pm-4pm

Sunday 8th June
West End Community Centre, Firhill, Alness IV17 0RS 10am - 3pm

Monday 9th June
Car Park (Behind Merkinch Community Centre), Coronation Road, Merkinch, Inverness from10am–2pm

Tuesday 10th June
The Links, Links Place, Nairn from10am–2pm

Commenting on the event, Councillor Graham MacKenzie Chair of Community Services Committee at The Highlands Council said: "The Highland Council commends the work of the Dogs Trust and we would encourage as many people as possible to bring their dogs along and get them microchipped. The Council runs campaigns throughout the year to promote dog owners to be responsible for their pets and this latest drive will give owners the reassurance that should their pet become lost or be stolen, he or she is more likely to be returned to them safe and sound."

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. They have eighteen rehoming centres across the UK and one in Ireland, and invest substantial resources in information services and education on responsible dog ownership. Compulsory microchipping was successfully introduced in Northern Ireland in 2012 and Wales and England are set to follow suit in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Dogs Trust would like to see compulsory microchipping become law throughout the UK and therefore welcomes the consultation recently launched by the Scottish Government on this issue.