DOG owners are urged by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to get their pets microchipped before it becomes compulsory on April 6.

An easy and harmless procedure, it provides vets with all of the information required to reunite stray or lost dogs with owners.

BVA president Sean Wensley said: “Getting your dog microchipped is essential. Part of the new legal requirement is that details on the microchip database, such as a change of address and contact numbers, are kept up-to-date by owners.

“It’s not uncommon for vets to see pets with out-of-date information that they are then unable to reunite with their worried owners.”

Failure to have a dog microchipped or to update details from April 6, will carry a fine of up to £500.