Tweet
4 ways that chips can improve practice health
Compulsory microchipping of dogs is now a legal requirement in the UK. However, at the end of 2015, the PDSA reported that 1.5 million dogs in the UK still hadn’t been microchipped. That’s around 1 in 6 pet dogs.
While the figure should have dropped since then, it does indicate that right now there are still likely to be a great many dogs unchipped.
And this presents an excellent opportunity for your practice. Not only can you help more dogs receive their chip and ensure their owners stay within the law, your practice could be a winner, too.
- Give yourself a good rep with existing clients
Yes, you’ve probably been aware of the new law for a long time, but many owners still don’t know their dog must now be microchipped. And you are in a great position to tell them…
- Consultations are the obvious and easiest places to start. If you’re not already, make sure you take the opportunity to discuss the importance of microchipping with any owners of unchipped dogs you see.
- Spread the word in your waiting room. Whether clients are coming in with other animals, popping in to collect medication or simply walking past, now’s the time to capture their attention. These posters from the BVA are great to download, print out and display: www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Policy/Companion-animals/Microchipping/
- Use a client SMS service? Why not send a text to all dog owners reminding them about the new law. This is great to inform those who haven’t chipped yet, while reminding owners to update their microchip details if they’ve moved.
- Don’t forget your website – add an item to your homepage if you can, and if you publish a newsletter – remember to include it on there too.
- Attract new clients with a special offer
This is an easy route to attract owners who may not be registered with a practice but do want to be on the right side of the law. It’s also great to highlight your service to clients from another practice who might be tempted if you have a better deal.
Consider why they might not have chipped their dog yet. It could be that standard practice hours don’t suit them – could you run a microchipping clinic outside of usual hours advertised with a local ad or flyer?
- Fish and chips?
While you might not have elephants on your books or the desire to chip your clients’ goldfish, owners that have their dog chipped become much more likely to chip their other animals at home. Offer clients a multi-chip discount, and encourage them to bring in their cat, rabbit or any other pet that would benefit from a chip.
- Stay legal!
- Intermittently working or failed microchips
- Migrated microchips
- Microchips that have caused an adverse reaction (for example haematoma, infection or inflammatory response)
Even though it’s not down to you to insist an owner microchips their dog (or cat, for that matter), it’s clearly in everyone’s interest to do what you can to encourage them. Just imagine if every stray that came into your practice was chipped with up to date records?
So take this opportunity to help owners, pets and your practice benefit from 2016’s change in legislation.