Matt Whittaker, manager of Pets At Home Swindon, writes about microchipping your pet

From 2016 it will become compulsory for all dogs in England and Wales to be microchipped.

Microchipping is an important part of responsible pet ownership and having a microchipped pet is the most effective way of increasing the chances of your pet being safely returned to you if it’s lost.

The team here at Swindon are experts in microchipping and the process is simple, relatively painless and essential.

Having the quick procedure performed on your dog or cat will offer peace of mind if they do go walkabout.

Your cat or dog won’t be scarred from the procedure either as the chip is about the same size as a grain of rice. Should the worst happen and you and your pet become separated, the chip contains a digital copy of your contact details and a unique code number allocated to your pet only.

The information on the chip is uploaded to a national database called Petlog where the owner can be traced to the pet or vice versa.

One thing to note however, is if you move house or your information changes, it is your responsibility to update your Petlog account, so don’t forget!

For the peace of mind and guarantee of your beloved pet’s safety, why not book your pet in for a microchipping (if you haven’t already) at one of our Swindon stores?

Our specially trained colleagues will ensure your pet is microchipped safely and professionally in only a few minutes.