Whilst every dog owner is legally obliged to ensure that their dog is wearing a collar and identification disc, thousands of owners have now taken positive steps to ensure their much-loved companion can also be identified through microchip technology.

Microchipping is now acknowledged to be the most acceptable form of permanent identification available for companion animals and horses. It is permanent, tamperproof, reliable and painless.

Sadly, the reality is that of the many thousands of dogs that go missing each year, it is estimated that less than half of them are reunited with their owners. Don't wait until it's too late. Get your dog microchipped and have the assurance that should he become lost (or be stolen), he is more likely to be returned to you safe and sound.

A microchip is a small electronic device, which is the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a scanner. Using a specially designed implanting device the microchip is injected through a sterile needle under the dog's skin.

No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination.

If an animal is found to have a microchip, the dog warden, vet or animal welfare organisation contacts a national database to find the owner's details. The owner can then be contacted and reunited with their dog. There are several databases in the UK. Your registration document will tell you which database has your dog registered and their contact details. If you need to make any changes to your dogs registered details, such as moving house, you should contact your database operator. Owners of microchip scanners have special access to the databases to allow them to contact you if they find your dog.