Vets can play valuable role in reuniting pets and owners

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and Petlog have joined forces to remind vets about the valuable role they can play in helping to reunite pets with their owners through the implantation and subsequent scanning of microchips.

Although just one of several forms of pet identification, microchips are increasing in popularity, particularly in light of their use as part of Defra's Pet Travel Scheme. In addition to implanting microchips, veterinary surgeons can help to reunite lost, strayed or stolen pets through scanning for the microchips.

In its Annex on Microchipping, the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct recommends that scanning should be carried out on any stray animals brought into the surgery, or those suspected of being stolen, or in cases where the owner is not sure whether the animal has been microchipped.

When a microchip has been scanned, details can be checked with Petlog quickly online, or by phone or email. On the rare occasions when a client brings a vet an animal that has a microchip registered in another person's name, both parties, with mutual consent, can be put in touch with each other.

However, if the client declines to consent to the release of his or her name and contact details, the RCVS guidance states that a veterinary surgeon may pass these details to Petlog to take further action. Petlog will then inform the registered owner that the whereabouts of their pet is known and advise the correct course of action.

RCVS President Professor Sheila Crispin said: "When a pet goes missing it is a stressful time for any owner. Happily, in some situations, veterinary surgeons have the opportunity to help reunite pets and their owners. Where this is possible, vets will wish to take the appropriate action, if necessary with the help of Petlog or other identification services.

"However, the College maintains its view that it is not the role of the veterinary surgeon to act as police officer in cases where a pet is found to be registered with a different  owner from the one presenting the animal. In this situation, the vet's first recourse should be to Petlog."

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, commented: "In the unlikely event that the 'presenting owner' is not willing for their details to be released or refuses to agree to return the animal, the veterinary surgeon can contact Petlog and on instruction from a solicitor or the police, Petlog can release details."

Caroline concluded: "The reunification process can only work if owner details are up-to-date, so Petlog recommends that all owners ensure that they update their personal details, should they move house or change telephone number, for example, to ensure they can be speedily reunited with a lost pet."