Free chips for all at Dogs’ Trust Ballymena June 15-21

A microchip is a small electronic device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the dog’s skin. It is coded with a unique number that is linked to their owner’s contact details on a national database.

Microchipping is a great way to permanently identify dogs, but an owner can only be contacted and reunited with their missing dog if their registered details are up to date.

To encourage more owners to get their dog microchipped, the Rehoming Centre based in Ballymena is offering the service for free* between June 15 and 21.

Mary Carney, Manager of Dogs Trust Ballymena, says: “National Microchipping Month is vital in raising awareness amongst owners of the importance of getting their dogs microchipped. To support the event, from June 15-21 local dog owners can get their canine companions chipped for free at the Rehoming Centre.

“Anyone interested should call us on 028 2565 2977 to make an appointment. All dogs are eligible, not just those rehomed from Dogs Trust.”

In June those owners who get their dog microchipped will also be offered an upgrade to Petlog Premium for £7.50. This allows them to amend their contact details an unlimited number of times for no extra cost; so for just £7.50 their dog is covered for life!

Dogs Trust believes microchipping is the best way to help reunite owners with lost pets, trace abandoned animals back to irresponsible owners, make unscrupulous breeders accountable for their litters and ultimately reduce the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep in the UK each year.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 17 Rehoming Centres. across the UK.

*Throughout the rest of the year it costs £10 for most people to get their dog chipped at a Dogs Trust rehoming centre. It is always free for people on means tested benefits.