From the 24th-30th April Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Mars Petcare will be hosting a free microchipping week here at London’s most famous animal charity. Anyone who owns a dog or cat that isn't microchipped will be able to to drop into the clinic between 10.30am-4pm throughout the week and get their pet microchipped free of charge.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home cares for 10,600 dogs and cats every year, many of which are strays and have sadly been separated from their owners. If a lost animal comes into the Home and it has a microchip, it can quickly and safely be reunited with its owners.

Microchipping is the most effective way of permanently identifying a pet. A microchip is a small electronic device that is coded with a unique number that is logged on a national database along with the owner’s details. The chip is inserted just below the animal’s skin and should it become lost, the animal will be scanned for a microchip and traced back to its owners.

Anyone bringing their dog or cat to the free microchipping clinic will need to bring proof of identification.

To find out more about Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the microchipping clinic please contact the switchboard on 0207 622 3626.