Royal Mail Home Movers/Mail Redirection Pack - Dogs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 340/15
Ref P18/15
Date: 18 May 2015


To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

RE: Royal Mail Home Movers/Mail Redirection Pack - Reminder to Dog Owners & Other Animal Owners to Update Their Pets' Microchip Information:
(CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign)
                                                                                                                        
The Health, Safety & Environment Department are pleased to be able to update Branches, Safety Forums and Safety Reps on the issue of the new, updated Royal Mail Redirection Application Forms and Redirection Confirmation Letters. These now include information reminding Royal Mail customers moving home to update their animal’s micro-chip details. This has been an issue the CWU has pursued as part of the 'Bite-Back' campaign and I’m pleased to say that we’ve finally achieved this objective.

Attached you will find; (nothing no bearing for posties)

1. Consumer Redirection application form – micro-chip wording is at the bottom of the first pink box on the right hand side of the form.
2. Special Circumstances application from – micro-chip wording is at the bottom of the first pink box on the right hand side of the form.
3. Redirection confirmation letter screenshot below – micro-chip wording is in the copy of the letter.

The CWU was a leading and active member of the Dogs Trust led 'Micro-chipping Alliance' which included around 40 organisations working together to call for the Compulsory Micro-chipping of dogs across the UK.

As a result of strong campaigning the devolved and central Governments responded positively and Compulsory Micro-chipping for dogs is now in force in Northern
Ireland, a date for Wales to introduce it is awaited. England and Scotland will introduce it in April (2016).

We see Compulsory Micro-chipping as a further positive step forward in encouraging responsible dog ownership. It will certainly help repatriate lost, stray and stolen
dogs with rightful owners and from our point of view will assist in linking dogs with owners following dog attack incidents as we find in a  number of cases that ownership or keepership is denied or is complex.

For those CWU members who are dog owners and may be concerned about cost implications of Dog Micro-chipping - Free Micro-chipping is available throughout the year, across the UK at all Dogs Trust rehoming centres (by appointment) as well as at Dogs Trust 'Free Micro-chipping Road shows' and now is also available at 1500
Local Veterinary Practices across the country! Details can be obtained on a special Website at this link: http://www.chipmydog.org.uk/have-your-d ... -for-free/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or telephone Dogs Trust: 0207 837 0006.

The Micro-chipping process is simple, painless and quick. A tiny microchip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under the dog’s loose skin, on the back of the neck. This gives the dog their own unique code. If the dog becomes lost or stolen or is picked up by the police or a dog warden or turns up at a dog pound or dog charity shelter or vet’s office, the microchip can be scanned and matched to the owner's contact details, which are kept on a central, Government licensed, database.

In closing can I remind you that Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week is 29th June to 3rd July and I hope that all Branches and Health and Safety Reps in particular will be supporting the week again this year working along with Police, Dog Wardens, Local Authorities, several Dog and Animal Welfare Charities, Trainers and other organisations. Full details will shortly be issued but Reps can start giving some thought to organising something locally now!

Yours sincerely
 


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[motherhubbard]

In closing can I remind you that Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week is 29th June to 3rd July and I hope that all Branches and Health and Safety Reps in particular will be supporting the week again this year working along with Police, Dog Wardens, Local Authorities, several Dog and Animal Welfare Charities, Trainers and other organisations. Full details will shortly be issued but Reps can start giving some thought to organising something locally now!

Would a barbecue be appropriate?