Pets are an important member of the family. Moving house can be a big stress for pets and their owners alike. Imagine someone just picking you up one day and plonking you down in a new location! It’s so important to update and change your pets microchip details when you move house for a whole number of reasons.
WHY SHOULD I MICROCHIP IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Since the 6th April 2016 is has been a legal requirement for your dog to be chipped. The chip needs to be linked to the owner’s current contact information to be compliant. If your pet is not chipped, you could face a fine of up to £500! Most places will chip your pet for just £15.00. We know what we would rather pay! It is also set to become a legal requirement soon for all cats to be micro-chipped, so vets are urging owners to get their cats chipped as soon as possible. Micro-chipping prevents pets being lost or stolen and is the quickest way to reunite pets with their rightful owner.
MOVING HOUSE IS STRESSFUL FOR PETS
Moving is stressful, we know that. But imagine how stressful it must be for our furry friends, cats and dogs and other pets. There is the run up to moving day where things will be moved and their favourite chair may disappear for a while. Strange visitors coming into the home with new smells such as valuers, prospective buyers and estate agents. Moving Day itself which brings even more people and change. Then there’s the journey to the new house. This may be strange and long if you’re moving out of your area. That’s before your pets even set foot in their new home with all the new and old smells from previous owners or tenants. There will be a whole new area to explore with garden, pavements, parks and new walks. It can all be disorienting for our feline or canine friends.
PODS can help take some of the stress away as there’s not such an upheaval on moving day. You can load gradually with less stress for all involved.
Once in your new home you will have a whole host of jobs to do such as checking your meters and supplying new readings, re-directing your post from your old address, changing address details for all your suppliers, getting your broadband and TV packages set up. The lists are endless!
DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR PETS MICROCHIP DETAILS
One important thing not to forget is to make sure you change your pets microchip details when you move house. You should update them to your new address. Pets can go missing after a move, as they become accustomed to their new surroundings so you want to make sure the details are correct. Depending on who your pet was chipped with depends on how you update details. You may be able to do it via your Vets practice, online through the chipping company over the phone or even via an app.
Some companies may charge a small fee to update the details and some may not.
DON’T BREAK THE LAW!
It is a legal requirement for all dogs to be chipped and cats are soon to be added to this list. There’s no excuse not to. However, it’s up to you to you keep your details up to date. Otherwise, should the worst happen and your beloved pet gets lost – when their chip is scanned by the vet or warden if the details are out of date you may struggle to be found. It is also a legal requirement for you to keep your details up to date on your dog’s microchip. Read more on the matter on the Government website.
By updating and changing your pets microchip details when you move house, it means that once found and scanned you will be able to be informed and you will be reunited as quickly as possible.