Compulsory dog microchipping to be introduced by march 2016

Compulsory dog microchipping will begin for pups in September and include all dogs by March of next year.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced the arrangements for compulsory dog microchipping today.

Minister Coveney said “widespread microchipping of all dogs will have a number of positive benefits. It will provide a basic tool to protect the welfare of all dogs and assist with speedily uniting stray dogs with their owners.”

Furthermore, he said, “it will act as a deterrent for those who abandon dogs and assist in identifying marauding dogs and those that pose a threat to livestock or people.”

To help keep the cost as affordable as possible, the Department of Agriculture said there are provisions for microchipping and registration to be carried out in particular circumstances by trained people other than veterinarians. Furthermore, there are initiatives which help to subsidise microchipping for those of restricted means.