Dogs still man's best friend
This month brings microchipping and a rise in registration costs, but pet stores and breeders say it hasn't stopped people from buying dogs.
The increase in registration costs is due, in part, to the added cost of maintaining a new dog-control national database. It should actually be due to some better dog education programmes in schools!
But Manawatu District Council (MDC) environmental manager Patrick McHardy said only a small percentage of dog owners will end up paying the full registration price. "The council wants to encourage people to join the preferred owners scheme," Mr McHardy said.
The scheme allows a dog-control officer to inspect the property and the dog to check it is under control and has access to shelter, food and water. Owners on the scheme pay $18 to register rather than $40. Finally a good idea...
Speyed and neutered dogs also cost $18 to register. Farm dog registration has increased from $14 to $18, which Mr McHardy says is still cheaper than in most districts.
Palmerston North pet shop Animates general manager Richard Bowker said Animates had been microchipping its puppies for at least two years. Oh good for you...
The company even donated scanners to the pound and SPCA. a great story with free publicity... I guess they can afford it as the price for a dog is sooo expensive. It's doesn't deserve the rpice tag!
"With all the talk going on, we thought it would come in at some stage. In terms of management, we thought it was a reasonable idea," Mr Bowker said. He said the company absorbed the cost of the microchipping. "Obviously because we buy in bulk, we get a good deal."
A Manawatu Veterinary Services spokeswoman said while there hadn't been a mad rush to get dogs chipped, those who had come in were not complaining. "They seemed okay with it, I guess the ones who would be complaining aren't getting it done," the spokeswoman said. That's about right.
The MDC sent pamphlets with information on microchipping with the registration notices this year. However, the farm-dog exemption was introduced in Parliament after the pamphlets were sent out. Manawatu Veterinary Services said it prefers to leave microchipping until a puppy is at least 12 weeks old. This means people who buy from breeders will be responsible for chipping their own dogs. Manawatu breeder Helen Upson said most allowed puppies to go to owners when seven to eight weeks old. She said she was looking into getting equipment to do her own microchipping. Mr McHardy said as long as the chips are compatible, he sees no reason why people can't chip their own dogs. Oh... ya mean competition!!
The increase in registration costs is due, in part, to the added cost of maintaining a new dog-control national database. It should actually be due to some better dog education programmes in schools!
But Manawatu District Council (MDC) environmental manager Patrick McHardy said only a small percentage of dog owners will end up paying the full registration price. "The council wants to encourage people to join the preferred owners scheme," Mr McHardy said.
The scheme allows a dog-control officer to inspect the property and the dog to check it is under control and has access to shelter, food and water. Owners on the scheme pay $18 to register rather than $40. Finally a good idea...
Speyed and neutered dogs also cost $18 to register. Farm dog registration has increased from $14 to $18, which Mr McHardy says is still cheaper than in most districts.
Palmerston North pet shop Animates general manager Richard Bowker said Animates had been microchipping its puppies for at least two years. Oh good for you...
The company even donated scanners to the pound and SPCA. a great story with free publicity... I guess they can afford it as the price for a dog is sooo expensive. It's doesn't deserve the rpice tag!
"With all the talk going on, we thought it would come in at some stage. In terms of management, we thought it was a reasonable idea," Mr Bowker said. He said the company absorbed the cost of the microchipping. "Obviously because we buy in bulk, we get a good deal."
A Manawatu Veterinary Services spokeswoman said while there hadn't been a mad rush to get dogs chipped, those who had come in were not complaining. "They seemed okay with it, I guess the ones who would be complaining aren't getting it done," the spokeswoman said. That's about right.
The MDC sent pamphlets with information on microchipping with the registration notices this year. However, the farm-dog exemption was introduced in Parliament after the pamphlets were sent out. Manawatu Veterinary Services said it prefers to leave microchipping until a puppy is at least 12 weeks old. This means people who buy from breeders will be responsible for chipping their own dogs. Manawatu breeder Helen Upson said most allowed puppies to go to owners when seven to eight weeks old. She said she was looking into getting equipment to do her own microchipping. Mr McHardy said as long as the chips are compatible, he sees no reason why people can't chip their own dogs. Oh... ya mean competition!!
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