The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) will be pushing for “meaningful improvements” within a Defra-published public consultation on a series of proposals to the dog microchipping regulations.

The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations were introduced in 2015 to increase re-unification rates of lost and stolen dogs, benefiting dog welfare and saving local authorities and charities kennelling costs. The eight-week consultation follows on from recommendations made by the Pet Theft Taskforce last year.

Proposals within the consultation include the creation of a single access point for those permitted to query the various databases; the enactment of requirements to keep databases up to date; and ensuring reasonable steps are taken by the database companies to seek approval from the previous registered keeper prior to the dog’s record being transferred to the new keeper.

Kate Dymock, BASC gundog officer, said: “BASC has previously raised the pitfalls within the microchipping regulations and welcomed the Pet Theft Taskforce recommendations to review the system. BASC will respond to the consultation in detail, highlighting changes that will result in meaningful improvements to animal welfare and re-unification rates.

“BASC is urging any members who have views on the current regulations to have their say.”

The consultation is hosted on the Defra website and closes 17 May 2022.