Chance to chip our canines!
Published Thursday 16th December 10 in Council - news and information releases news
As the old saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is giving an opportunity to protect our canine chums with a Microchipping event on Friday 17th December in partnership with CDRP (Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership) outside ASDA Supermarket in Shoeburyness.
The event will be held between 11am and 3pm in the ASDA supermarket car park, with the cost of £16 per dog to be microchipped.
A great illustration of the benefits of microchipping can be found in the story of a husky named Bella. The energetic pooch jumped her garden fence late one evening and vanished into the night. Her anxious owner reported her missing to Val Howells, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Animal Warden, but weeks passed without anyone coming forward to say they had found Bella.
Bella's information was passed on to local Police Officers. When Police Community Support Officer, Jackie Jones, was on patrol, she came across a man walking a dog matching Bella's description. Val was contacted, and when Bella's microchip was scanned, her identity was confirmed. Dog and owner were reunited to the obvious delight of both!
Councillor Tony Cox, Southend-on-Sea Borough Councils Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Waste says: "Microchipping is a great opportunity to help protect our pets, and affords some reassurance. It can make the difference between lost and found, such as with the case of Bella the Husky."
"I would urge all dog owners that are yet to microchip their dogs to make their way down to ASDA on Friday, and do the responsible thing."
In the last financial year, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council reclaimed 332 dogs, of which over 200 were reunited with their owners. This high number is due to an increased number of dogs that have been microchipped and can more easily be identified. It is a really helpful tool in returning dogs to their families!
The microchipping event will also be an opportunity to treat an unwanted dog this Christmas with a dog food donation so that no dog in the kennels goes hungry during the festive period!
For more information on the event please phone 01702 215811.