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New article detailing benefits

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There's a niche market for his approach, but I'm not convinced that the proponent of a non-scientific approach to animal health is the most appropriate advisor to the mainstream population of pet owners. When he says: "My advice to people who don't want their dogs microchipped is to sit tight and do nothing", he really should add the proviso that they risk a fine of £500 if they follow his suggestion.

Four good reasons for compulsory microchipping

1. Mandatory microchipping is a definite step forwards for dogs in this country. First, microchips provide a legal bond between the owner and the animal, in the same way as an owner is linked to a car by registration documents. This makes it easier to hold an owner accountable for the actions of the dog if it's allowed to wander, if it bites someone, or if it causes damage to property.

2. Second, microchips will save the State money. If an animal escapes and gets lost, microchip identification ensures that it's rapidly reunited with its owner. In areas (such as New South Wales and Victoria in Australia) where compulsory microchipping has been introduced, the number of stray animals being put up in dog pounds has dropped significantly, with savings for local authority dog control budgets. Last year 110,000 stray dogs were picked up off the streets in England, of which 47,596 remained unclaimed in council kennels. Watch this figure fall in coming years as the effect of compulsory microchipping kicks in.

3. Third, microchips will reduce the risk of dog theft. Who would buy a black-market dog that carries the name and address of its original owner?

4. Fourth, compulsory microchipping will force breeders of unhealthy puppies to be held accountable for their actions, reducing the incidence of irresponsible puppy farming. This was one of the main recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding in its report six years ago.

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Dog microchips are safe and effective: don't believe the scaremongering

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There's a niche market for his approach, but I'm not convinced that the proponent of a non-scientific approach to animal health is the most appropriate advisor to the mainstream population of pet owners.

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This website offers and easy to follow guide of what a microchip is, its benefits and potential risks

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How Safe are Pet Microchips? Know the Benefits and Risks

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Crucial information you need to know -- before you decide to microchip your pet.

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How and where is the microchip implanted?

Using a specially designed implanting device, the microchip is injected through a sterile needle under the dog’s skin between the shoulder blades.

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Under the new rules all dogs aged eight weeks or more must be microchipped.

Don't let your pet get lost

Any owner in England and Wales whose dog is found to be without a microchip faces a £500 fine unless they fit one within 21 days.

Despite this, hundreds of thousands of pet owners are estimated to have failed to do so, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

That means as many as one in eight still need to microchip their animals or risk being fined by their local authority.

But what many may not realise is that it is actually fairly cheap to microchip dogs.

Here is everything you need to know about microchipping your pet.

How much does a microchip cost?

Microchips may sound expensive but they are actually pretty cheap at between £10 and £20 each.

Your contact details along with the microchip number are then logged on the National PetLog database.

Some local animal charities and organisations may also offer microchip services - some even free of charge like DogsTrust.

Where can I get my dog microchipped?

The chip is easily fitted by any vet and even some pet stores.

Pets At Home currently offer a microchip fitting service for just £10 until 15 April 2016. After that date, costs are around £15 per animal.

To find your nearest store see the Pets At Home website.

Which pets can be microchipped?

While it is only compulsory to microchip a dog, cats and rabbits can also be easily microchipped.

Where does the microchip go?

The microchip is inserted under the skin on the base of your animal's neck.

How does the microchip get read?

You need to register your details with the microchip number - so whenever the microchip is scanned the dog's owner can easily be traced.

Microchips can be scanned at most vetinary surgeries. If you are buying a rescue dog or older animal it is always worth checking if your pet already has a chip or not.

If you move home, you should make sure your address details are changed on the microchip too. Otherwise the chip will be rendered useless and your pet could be lost forever.

How to change address or owner on dog microchip

Contact your local vet, who will be able to scan the chip and find out the microchip number.

Contact either PETtrac to update the address on the database or Both these should also be able to help with any change of ownership of an animal.

If buying a puppy, you are likely to have to do a change of ownership from the original breeder.

MORE: Why you shouldn't microchip your dog, according to a leading vet

MORE: 3D printing and the DNA microchip: The best of the European Inventor Award

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Dog microchip cost: Everything you need to know about microchipping your pet

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Under the new rules all dogs aged eight weeks or more must be microchipped. Any owner in England and Wales whose dog is found to be without a microchip faces a £500 fine unless they fit one within 21 days.

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A lot of promotions are based around posters and leaflets that are found in vet surgery's and/ or pet shops such as pets at home

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Facts about microchipping and the new law

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From 6th April 2016 all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales to be micro-chipped and registered by the breeder on an authorised database by the time they are 8 weeks old and before they transfer to a new keeper.