CHIPS can be good for pets and their owners, the RSPCA has revealed -- microchips that is!

The RSPCA's Lancashire East Branch is offering pet owners the chance to get their pet microchipped at a knock-down price during August.

A microchip is recommended by the RSPCA as an effective way of permanently linking pets to their owners, increasing the chances of them being reunited if the animal is lost, stolen or strays.

The RSPCA has been able to reunite cats and dogs with their owners months or even years after they first went missing and have been given up for lost -- thanks to a microchip.

But, sadly, all too frequently the local branches have to find new homes for animals because there is no way of tracing their owners.

The following "Microchipping days" will be held at the Animal Centre at Altham:

l Cats -- Thursday, August 11, 11am-4pm, £10.

l Rabbits -- Thursday, August 18, 11am-4pm, £10.

l Dogs/Cats/Rabbits -- Thursday, August 25, 11am-4pm, £10.

Later times may be available. For more details contact the Animal Centre on 01254 231118.

Microchips are no bigger than a grain of rice and are inserted into the scruff of an animal's neck

Each microchip has a unique number, which is then entered into a national database alongside the owner's name, address and telephone number.

A hand-held scanner, carried by RSPCA officers as well as vets and local authority dog wardens, can then read the details of the microchip if a lost or injured animal is found. More than 750,000 animals have already been microchipped in the UK..

KEN HARRISON, Branch Manager, RSPCA Lancashire East Branch.