Pembrokeshire County Council has teamed up with the Dogs Trust to offer free microchipping for the county’s pooches.

A series of free microchipping events has been arranged across the county to celebrate the anniversary of the Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations.

It’s the last time the service will be provided free of charge.

Since the regulations came into force, approximately 2,500 dogs have been chipped in Pembrokeshire helping the county’s dog wardens return lost dogs to their owners.

Under the current legislation, not chipping and registering your dog and its puppies, or transferring a puppy to a new keeper without having had a microchip implanted, will be an offence.

Pembrokeshire County Council environment officer Steve Morbey says owners must ensure their dogs are Microchipped.

“This is the last time we will be holding any free microchipping events and I’d urge all dog owners who have yet to have their pets chipped to come along.

“Dog owners are responsible for getting them chipped.

“If you take ownership of a dog that is already chipped it is then your responsibility to update the details held on the database.

“If your dog has a litter of puppies, once they are eight weeks old it is your responsibility to get the puppies microchipped, and their details registered.

“Failure to do so could result in owners being fined and we don’t want any dog owners in the county to be fined for something they could easily avoid.”

These are drop in session so no appointments are needed. Owners can bring any number or breed of dog as long as they are over eight weeks old and have had their first vaccinations.

The free microchipping events will be held as follows: Monday, March 6 - Pater Hall, Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, 10 am - 3 pm; Thursday, March 9 - Burns Pet Shop, Moorfield Road, Narberth, 10 am - 3 pm; Tuesday, March 14 - Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, Hermon Road, Crymych, 10 am - 3 pm; Wednesday, March 15 - Scales and Tails Pet Shop, Charles Street, Milford Haven, 10 am - 3 pm; Tuesday, March 21 - Fishguard Town Hall, Market Square, Fishguard, 10 am - 3 pm; Friday, March 24 - Augustus Place Community Centre, Augustus Place, Tenby, 10 am - 3 pm; Tuesday, March 28 - Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre, The Grove, St. Davids, 10 am - 3 pm; Tuesday, April 4 - Haverfordwest Sports Pavilion, Lower Racecourse, Haverfordwest, 10 am - 3 pm.