Dog owners urged to 'chip' their pets (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Dog owners urged to 'chip' their pets

COTSWOLD dog owners are being urged to have their dogs microchipped at a cut-price rate.

The service, being offered by Cotswold District Council, helps to ensure that lost animals can be returned to their homes if lost.

The district's dog warden, Julie Townsend, said: "If a stray dog is micro-chipped it can then be returned directly to the owner."

Over the past year 74 dogs were found straying in the Cotswolds and 45, many of them microchipped, were returned to their owners. The remaining 29 had to be re-homed because of a lack of any identification.

Microchips are no larger than a grain of rice and are injected under the skin between the animal's shoulders. The chips have bar codes containing information about the dog's owners.

Dozens of people have already taken advantage of the scheme in Cirencester and owners are urged to go along to the council's Moreton offices on Tuesday, August 24.

The service is free for retired people and pensioners and £9.50 for everyone else.

For information call Julie Townsend on 01285 623422.