I m thinking of getting my pet dog tagged with a microchip, what s involved

A.� Micro chipping involves an ID chip being inserted into your dog, or other pet that can be read if they ever become lost.

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Q.� How much does it cost

A.� It's quite a simple procedure, which your vet can do, and should cost roughly between �10 and �30.

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Q.� How do they know whom the dog belongs to

A.� The chip has a unique number, this number is held on a central database and it brings up your name and address, along with details about the dogs age, sex and breed. It's a very efficient and permanent form of ID, and most animal organisations, wardens and vets hold scanners to check for microchips.

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Q.� What's the legal situation, do I have to have my dog micro chipped

A.� As things stand at the moment you can be fined if your dog doesn't have a collar with an ID tag.

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Q.� So there's no legal obligation to have my dog micro chipped

A.� No, not at the moment. Recommendations have been made to the Scottish Parliament that the best way to deal with thousands of stray dogs is to introduce a compulsory requirement for dogs to be micro chipped.

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Q.� How big is the microchip

A.� Only about the size of a grain of rice.

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Q.� Where do they put it

A.� It's inserted just under the skin, usually below the left shoulder.

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Q.� Does it hurt

A.� It's implanted with an injection and your pet will hardly feel a thing. The chip has got a unique identification code that can't be erased or changed.

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Q.� Is it safe

A.� Perfectly. The chip is made out of inert materials, and has no power source, it is electronically inactive until activated by the scanner. Then it returns to its inactive state once scanned.

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The scanner itself only emits a low energy signal as it is passed over the chip and is able to read it in a fraction of a second.

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by Lisa Cardy