Microchips in your pets

Hi Resident

I have been made aware by the local dog warden that there has been emails going around to pet owners by name and letting them know that their pet's microchip has expired.

You should be aware that microchips do not expire, they do not run on batteries and will never get any legitimate message or email like this from vets or clinics. Your pet's  microchip should last a lifetime. 

If you do need to check this information or update the information, you are able to scan the microchip using your smartphone and you should have your pet's unique reference number.

Your pet's microchip should contain details about them, the owners contact information and a unique number linking them together. If you do get any messages like this that you are unsure of, don't click on any links, never send any money to people asking and never send any details to them either. Only update any details and information through the microchip company. 

Don't be fooled as they can use yours and your pet's names in these emails! To ascertain if it is legitimate or not, there should be telltale signs such as - 

The email will be found in your junk files

That site will have negative reviews on TrustPilot

The company the email has come from does not have an actual website so you cannot search it up

The email address the message has come from does not match the microchip company website

(I have attached an image of an email received by a pet owner that ended up being a scam!) 

If you remain unsure, ring up and ask the microchip company just to be on the safe side!

If you do have any other pet related queries, get in touch with the Ribble Valley Borough Council - Ribble Valley Borough Council's Dog Warden can be contacted on 01200 425111 during 8.45am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. A stray dog can be reported outside these hours by contacting 01200 444448.

Thank you,