Missing Pet Bureau

veryunsure

Has anyone had an email about this pet service? It is a service offered by way of leaflets that came with pet insurance schemes and is meant to provide a central number that can be found if your dog gets lost and held by someone. They took DNA so you could prove the dog was yours and would provide all sorts of services if needed.

The company seems to have gone into liquidation but a new, very similar scheme has been started by an ex employee who has, strangely, acquired the database of clients. She is offering a sweetener to join this scheme as the old company has gone (and my dogs are wearing useless ID now, which is actually making me do something illegal by having dogs in the open with no ID).

I have had an email from the new company and have concerns.

I had paid for the 'for life' scheme and although this 'new' company seems to be offering a good service, I am uncomfortable that they have my details, credit card details, and clearly have some connection to the old company. Is this a phoenix sham?

I am going to get tags made with my home number I think.

foreign_correspondent

It sounds a bit dodgy to me, I dont think this person should have been passed the client list, I am sure someone will know more about that side of things soon..

I take it its this company? http://www.petsbureau.co.uk/ - I have never heard of the organisation, or consumer bureau either to be honest.

whatever you decide, I would get some new tags on your dogs with your contact details on, (mine has my contact details on, and my dad's number too, just incase I was ill, out of the country etc) and if they are not already, get your pets microchipped and registered to you.

ETA - just found this thread - I would not be convinved that this is likely to be a reliable and long term ongoing service to be honest:http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=464665

hethmar

Are your dogs chipped? Those chip numbers are registered centrally and you wouldnt need DNA or anything for people to be able to trace them back to you?

Id get in touch with Trading Standards over this "new" company. Dont part with any money - if the first lot went under, Id imagine its odds on a second go wont work. Get the dogs chipped instead.

veryunsure

thanks for all replies and yes it is the company referred to; I think you have confirmed my thoughts. I see things like this on Watchdog every week!

We did make use of the services once - we were in Portual and the in laws were dog sitting.The dogs escaped. I was called in Portugal (on my mobile) and then had to call the in-laws who thouht I was joking when I told them where the dogs were being kept! They had no idea they had gone.

Annoying though to pay for a service that offers 'for life' and then goes bust just after I have finished paying first year.

BTW I have ordered tags as suggested and we microchipped them when we first had them.

hethmar

Have you kept their micro chip registration up to date?

veryunsure

I wasn't aware I had to - it was done 2 years ago and I have heard nothing from them or the vet ...

hethmar

Only if youve moved I meant