If your pet strays, he or she may remain unidentified for days or even weeks, causing much distress to you, your family and your pet. Micro-chipping is a simple and effective way to make sure that your pet can be easily identified should you become separated. A small microchip, (about the size of a grain of rice) is inserted under the loose skin on the back of your pet’s neck. This coded inserted chip remains a permanent means of identification of your pet. This provides your pet with a secure proof of identity – unlike collar tags, which can get lost or be taken off! Your pet is then registered on a national database. A hand-held scanner at the nearest veterinary surgery or dog pound can easily read the chip and identify them if your pet is found. Another reason to consider micro chipping a pet would be if you were considering taking your pet abroad. A dog or cat must be micro chipped before a passport can be issued to them.