Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay is urging Renfrewshire dog owners to get their dogs microchipped before laws change in April.
The SNP MSP was speaking as plans to make dog microchips compulsory in Scotland took a major step forward today, as legislation was laid before the Scottish Parliament.
The law change – which received overwhelming support in a public consultation last year – is due to come into effect in Scotland in April 2016, the same time as in England and Wales.
Under the new rules, all dogs will need to be microchipped and their owners’ details registered and kept up to date in a database complying with certain conditions.
Ahead of the new rules coming into force, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is offering free microchipping to all unchipped dogs in Scotland at mobile drop-in events and at its two rehoming centres.
Derek Mackay said: “Today marks an important milestone towards compulsory microchipping, which will help reduce the number of lost and abandoned dogs in Scotland – safeguarding animal welfare and promoting responsible ownership.
“As well as reuniting pets with their owners, it will allow authorities to directly identify dog owners and hold them accountable for their dogs’ behaviour and welfare.
“With less than six months to go until the law changes, I encourage all dog owners to ensure that their dogs are microchipped and, just as importantly, that their details are up to date.”