Microchips Have To Be Put On Phuket Dogs And Cats,

[NBT TV Phuket]

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216394

From now on pets like cats and dogs in Phuket or those brought into the island must have micro-chips. This is in response to the island being designated as the first rabies-free province. Our reporter has more:

The micro–chips are installed on the back ear of dogs and cats which their owners bring in. On this occasion the pets’ pictures are taken and individual details recorded in each pet’s ID or so-called passport. The procedure, which is carried out by the Phuket provincial Livestock Development Office, is in response to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives which announced and designated Phuket province as a Rabies-Free zone. This covers both dogs and cats. The announcement will take effect after it is endorsed in the government’s Royal Gazette which is expected around March 26th, this year The Phuket chief of the Livestock Development Office Sunart Wongchavalit encourages pet owners of dogs or pets to register. They can do so at local government offices. He stresses that the passport is free of charge. "The advantage is that it not only keeps a health record for your pets but also officials can help identify owners in case you lose your pets. The passport is free of charge, but the micro-chip costs 200 baht. You may have the micro chipped installed at private clinic, may be with a higher fee, then ask for a certificate from the vets and report to our office. We then would issue the pet’s passport."

That’s for residents; how about pet owners who wish to bring in their pets into Phuket? The official said no pets are allowed to enter the island without having been micro-chipped. When the animal check point at Tha Chartchai, the only land gateway for the island, is in operation, a vet will be stationed there to provide the vaccination and micro-chip installation for visiting or imported pets to the island. Phuket currently houses around 12,000 dogs, among them about 2,000 are still strays. They are not micro-chipped but are being neutered and given vaccinations against rabies. The useful tips we learnt from vets are that pet owners should carry IDs or passports and health documents or rabies certificates for their pets. This is not only a requirement when crossing or entering into Phuket – a rabies free zone - but it will also help in the case of your dog biting another person or pet. For more info contact Phuket Provincial Livestock Office, on Amphur rd, in Phuket City or telephone 076 216934

Special report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Monday 3 March 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th

[NBT TV Phuket]

To see or download mini-video with John Dalley of Soi Dog at Mai Khao, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216454

Our interview is with John Dalley, Vice President of the Soi Dog Foundation, on Saturday when the charity foundation moved 200 dogs from the Mid Road Shelter in Thalang to their new purpose built shelter in Mai Khao, with better facilities. He also comments on the Livestock Office declaring Phuket rabies free and checking all imported dogs & cats. But first on the move to the new shelter: ……. Contact: Tel 08-17884222 [email protected]

Interview for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, maybe Wednesday 12 March 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th