Must My Dog Be Microchipped To Travel Within The Uk

[waustin85]

im travelling to belfast from scotland and wandering if i must microchip my dog before i go??

[B00]

no

[Postdog]

But why ISN'T it micro chipped anyway? Really irresponsible dog ownership that!!

[Baldric]

Ah! The DOGmatist wakes

[waustin85]

hes not micro chipped as i just got him yesterday and got all his vaccinations done between yesterday and today and hes booked into get micro chipped when i return home in new year but will prob get him done while im away as the rest of my dogs are all chipped (all 5 of them) so not really that irresponsible thank you

[Postdog]

You didn't say that. Fair enough, but the question implied you would only consider it if you have to, and that riled me.

[Baldric]

Nice one waustin85

[waustin85]

you didnt need to jump to conclusions either, i only asked a simple question and expected a answer no cheek

[jno]

calm down, Postdog, it was a perfectly reasonable question!

[shoota]

Welcome to AB waustin.
You only need a microchip and a pet passport when travelling through international borders which is a scheme designed to prevent the spread of rabies and other nasties. Travel within the United Kingdom does not require a microchip or passport.

[B00]

A simple thank you would be nice if we're being picky about manners :-)

[Postdog]

I (sort of) apologised. However I maintain that the question was worded in such a way that strongly implied you were more concerned with if it affected your travel plans and I am more concerned with the welfare of the dog. I will never apologise for caring in that way.

[shoota]

This was a first time poster who asked a simple question.
Your response was belligerent and presumptive.
A proper apology would be appropriate IMO.

[jakep]

Congratulations on your new family member. My concern would be that he may get spooked in Belfast as he has not been with you for long. Is it possible to chip him before you go.

[Postdog]

As I said I am not going to apologise for speaking up when it comes to the welfare of animals. They were not clear about getting it microchiped for any reason other than whether they had to and there was no mention of it being new, or there being a plan to do so. End of.

[bednobs]

lol at "end of"

[boxtops]

The short answer, waustin, is no, you don't.

[seekeerz]

Can I just raise a point here, ....should you decide to have your dog chipped before you go, would this be under anaesthetic ? If not, then how confident are you of your vet ? Our no. 2 Westie was done because we were travelling and the vet made such a botch of it, the dog has been terrified of being handled ever since...just a thought

[woofgang]

seekerz thats a shame. they don't give GA's for chipping, and its not comfortable but it should be really quick and not agony.
When we got our boys done, we held one pup each. Mine went fine but when the vet went to do his big bro, he wriggled to lick the vet's face and my DH nearly got the chip in his forearm!

[FredPuli43]

Postdog, have you ever thought of being an RSPCA inspector ? They can say what they like and nobody can complain (Animal Welfare Act 2003, section 9), however contrary to common sense it is !

The words "before I go" carry the suggestion that the questioner is asking whether microchipping must be done now or can be done later. They do not suggest that the questioner is against microchipping or would never do it