Free microchipping and neutering of dogs is being offered to Derry pet owners, Derry CIty Council has announced.
The Council, supported by the Dogs Trust, is to provide free microchipping and neutering of dogs, at road shows to be held at a number of locations across the city during a two week period next month in support of its two month dog licensing amnesty.
As part of the amnesty, the Dogs Trust will also offer both free microchipping and neutering of dogs to owners deemed eligible at a number of local veterinary practices.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly it was “vital” each household pet was microchipped in order to apply for a dog licence.
And he encouraged dog owners to avail of the service.
He added: “Besides reducing unwanted litters and lowering the number of stray dogs, neutering is also important for the health and wellbeing of your pet.”
He concluded: “Each owner will be assessed against an eligibility criterion and if you meet the criteria you can go along to your local veterinary practice to avail of this free service also.”
Enda Cummins, principal environmental health officer at Derry City Council, said whilst every dog owner must ensure their dog was wearing a collar and licence tag it was now no longer possible to licence a dog without a valid microchip number.
He added: “This simple, safe modern identification method is permanent and can`t be removed, so even if your dog loses its collar someone steals your dog we can still trace it by its microchip.”
Neutering is offered free to those from the BT47 and BT48 areas and who are on means tested benefits.
Free microchipping will be available at the following locations:
:: Monday 10 March: Layby at St Eithne’s Primary School, Springtown Road, 11.00am – 12.30pm.
Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre car park, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Tuesday 11 March: Layby at St Joseph’s Church car park, Galliagh, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Sports Pavillion layby, Drumahoe, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Wednesday 12 March: Brooke Park Leisure Centre, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Gobnascale, Bards Hill, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Thursday 13 March: Holy Family Church car park, Ballymagroarty, 11.00am – 12.30pm
St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre car park, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Friday 14 March: Gasworks Centre, Lecky Road, Brandywell, 11.00am – 3.00pm.
:: Tuesday 18 March: Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre car park, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Layby at St Eithne’s Primary School, Springtown Road, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Wednesday 19 March: Sports Pavillion layby. Drumahoe, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Layby at St Joseph’s Church car park Galliagh, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Thursday 20 March: Gobnascale, Bard’s Hill, 11.00am – 12.30pm.
Brooke Park Leisure Centre, 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
:: Friday 21 March: Gasworks Centre Lecky Road, Brandywell, 11.00am – 3.00pm.
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