Stop unnecessary euthanasia.
Every Life Deserves a Voice
We are calling for the Government to hold a review into the number of healthy and treatable animals euthanised in the UK, the reasons why, and identify a solution to protect them.
We continue to campaign for a legal requirement to scan the microchips of healthy, treatable animals prior to euthanasia. This scan would ensure that the keeper information matches the person signing the consent-to-euthanise form and to ensure that any rescue organisation registered on the microchip is contacted before any life ending decisions are made.
Despite changes to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Code of Conduct, we are still seeing companion animals being euthanised without their microchip being scanned.
By supporting our campaign you will be helping create a compassionate, proactive system that prioritises both care and accountability, giving animals the respect they deserve and a true chance at a future. Join us in transforming how we protect and honour lives in every corner of companion animal welfare.
Progress To Date
In May 2021 a joint statement was made between DEFRA, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and Tuks Law to include scanning microchips for Rescue Back Up and to confirm keeper information for dogs.
It’s crucial for rescue organisations and responsible breeders to register a rescue backup on a DEFRA-compliant microchip database. By registering the backup, you not only help prevent unnecessary euthanasia but also give animals a safety net that can provide them with a second chance at a loving home. This simple step can make all the difference in saving lives.
Having campaigned for the inclusion of cats into the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Code of Conduct, we were delighted that with effect from April 2024 and following the mandatory microchipping of cats, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) revised its guidelines to mandate and include the scanning for microchips in cats before euthanasia in non-emergency cases.
The main goal of scanning is to identify the cat's registered owner and confirm that the individual requesting the euthanasia is either the rightful owner or has authorisation to make that decision.
FAQs
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Tuk was an 16 month old rescue who was destroyed 22 December 2017.
He was not scanned prior to euthanasia and his RBU were not contacted/notified of his death. We are a small group campaigning for mandatory scanning prior to euthanasia.
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Once an animal is adopted and rehomed, the rescue remains a presence in their lives offering rescue back up to the adopter for the duration of the pets life.
The rescue is available for advice and should the adopter no longer be able to care for the animal the rescue will support them and find an alternative new home.
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Rescue organisations register their details on the original database as a secondary contact as part of the adoption contract.
In times of vulnerability the secondary contact is there to prevent the animal from being unnecessarily euthanised and to alert the veterinarian that an alternative is in place.
This also allows the rescue to remain a constant presence and support to the pet should it be abandoned or sold on without the rescue organisations knowledge.
If the adopter does not keep the information registered on the microchip up to date the secondary rescue back up information registered on the original database will enable the rescue to be contacted in all circumstances.
Contact Us
tukslawscanme@gmail.com
