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Get your dog Neutered or Microchipped

Mon, 27 Nov 2006

A new report commissioned by the Dogs Trust shows that 101,586 stray dogs were found in the UK last year, and 7,743 dogs were destroyed for want of a home .

Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care, and try its best to reunite stray dogs with their owners. Otherwise the dogs are taken to rescue shelters, or are found new homes, but the final resort is destruction. Some dogs may also be put to sleep due to injury or ill health .

Dog Trust recommends that dog owners must help in tackling the problem by having their pets neutered to stop litters of unwanted puppies, and to save healthy dogs from unnecessary death .

Clarissa Baldwin, the chief executive of Dogs Trust, said, “100,000 dogs found stray is a shocking number and should be a wake-up call to dog owners. For a nation of so-called animal lovers, it is unacceptable that we are prepared to treat animals as throwaway commodities, and dog owners must take responsibility for their pets.

"At Dogs Trust we are working hard to put an end to all unnecessary destructions, and are working closely with local authorities to achieve this, but unless dog owners think about the commitment needed to look after a dog, dogs will continue to be put to sleep."

According to the charity neutering is the most "humane" way to reduce the number of stray dogs. It also promotes micro-chipping as a way to reunite owners with their lost dogs. Last year microchips helped reunite 24% of stray dogs with their owners.

Last year the charity invested over £3m in neutering and micro-chipping in the worst affected areas in the UK. The scheme was launched in 1999, where 187,500 dogs were neutered and 206,814 were micro-chipped. This resulted in a fall in the number of stray dogs by 3%.

Susan Tucker took in two elderly, stray rough collies with the help of the Dog Trust. She brought Laddie home in May then another stray dog called Josie needed a home a few weeks later. Dogs Trust staff asked Susan to see if she would be willing to take Josie too.

She says, "I was so pleased to give Laddie the comfortable retirement home he deserved in his twilight years, and when I heard about Josie I thought it would be nice for him to have some company.

"It's likely that they've spent much of their lives unloved as strays which explains why they always look so pleased to see me when I get home in the evenings. They are the best of friends, and even my cats seem happy to share the house with them."

Baldwin says, "The message is clear. Get your dog neutered to prevent unwanted litters. Make sure your dog has a microchip and ID tag to ensure that if he does get lost he can more easily be reunited with you."

All Campaign Managers work directly with Local Authorities and charities to provide chipping throughout their region. Call 0845 606 3036 or email campaigns@dogstrust.org.uk.
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