Microchipping is set to be made compulsory for all dogs in Scotland in April 2016.

Karen Munro, from Lomond Veterinary Clinic in Helensburgh, said: “We have always recommended that dogs are microchipped as the chances of your dog being reunited with you if he or she is lost are much better.

“When a stray dog is found without a microchip it is much more difficult to reunite them with their owners.

“This can lead to them having to spend time in a shelter and sometimes never finding their way home again.” Ms Munro said Helensburgh dog owners were good at getting their pooches microchipped but stressed the importance of owners keeping their details up to date.

She said: “Our clients at Lomond Vet Clinic are great at having their dogs microchipped.

“We implant a lot of microchips when dogs are in for other procedures, such as neutering, so they don’t feel a thing.

“We successfully reunited a number of dogs with their owners last year, often in a matter of minutes, simply because the dog was microchipped. Of course, it’s important that details are kept up,to date so don’t forget to contact the microchip company if you move.” The Dog’s Trust – the UK’s largest dog welfare charity – have launched a free Microchipping Through Vets Campaign in Scotland, which will allow owners to microchip their dogs free of charge. It will run until next January and during this period, the Dog’s Trust will reimburse a set price for each chip implanted.

Adrian Burder, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says: “From April 2016 it will be compulsory for each and every dog in Scotland to be microchipped which represents a significant step forward for dog welfare and responsible dog ownership.

“To show its support for the implementation of this legislation, Dogs Trust is teaming up with vets across Scotland to make sure that all dog owners can have the procedure done for free.”