It became compulsory by law for every dog in the Republic of Ireland to be microchipped and its chip correctly registered from 31 March 2016. This legislation has been long-awaited by animal welfare advocates, charities and vets because of the benefits it will bring, when correctly implemented, to so many dogs, their owners and the general public.

All owners must have a certificate proving that each dog is microchipped and registered as such. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain their contact details on the database and to update any changes.

It has been illegal since 1 September 2015 to buy or take ownership of a pup that has not been microchipped and correctly registered.

Owners who refuse to comply with these regulations face fines up to €5,000.

The most obvious benefit of microchipping is to enable the reunion of lost, straying or stolen dogs with their owners.

A dog that causes a problem by being aggressive or worrying livestock can be traced, via his microchip, back to the owner responsible for it.

The aim of the legislation is to improve animal welfare by encouraging responsible ownership and reducing the number of unwanted dogs.

Thousands of abandoned dogs are destroyed in Irish pounds each year.

Compulsory microchipping will act as a deterrent to the theft, neglect and abuse of dogs, as each dog will be traceable to its registered owner. It is intended to help distinguish well-meaning, reputable breeders from the less scrupulous individuals who have engaged in the overproduction of often unhealthy puppies into an already saturated market.

Dog owners who need to arrange microchipping of their dog should contact their local veterinary practice. If your dog is already chipped, your vet can direct you on how to obtain a certificate. The process for the owner will take less than 10 minutes, but it may ultimately save your dog’s life.

Aoife Cox works at Tullamore Veterinary, Tullamore, Co Offaly, part of XLVets. Visit www.xlvets.ie.