Dogs Trust Manchester is urging people to keep their canine’s microchips up-to-date or else they may never be reunited with their owners when lost.
The charity is warning that out-of-date details – such as old addresses or phone numbers – can prevent stray pets from being returned home.
Dogs Trust’s research shows that in the last year 8,502 stray dogs were found across the nation.
Of this figure, 341 had out-of-date microchip details which meant they couldn’t be reunited with their owners.
Each lost pup was potentially in line to be put down.
According to the Stray Dog Survey, 181 dogs go missing nationally every day.
Dogs Trust Manchester is hoping that these shocking stats will give all dog owners an incentive to quickly update their four-legged friend’s microchip information before there are consequences.
The introduction of compulsory microchipping last year has decreased the number of strays picked up by local authorities by 17%.
This year 66,277 stray dogs were found, the lowest amount since data collection started 20 years ago.
Despite the advancements, Dogs Trust Manchester has deemed the technology a ‘double edged sword’ if people don’t maintain the correct details.
Manager Dawn Bishop said: “Whilst showing that the number of strays has fallen and nationally there has been the greatest reduction in stray numbers since records began, the findings also demonstrate that owners are failing to follow the law when it comes to ensuring the details on the microchip are up-to-date and that they wear a collar and tag.”
The charity’s research also shows that only one in four members of the public would know to contact the local dog warden if they found a stray.
