FRANCE’S pet lovers are being urged to step up identification for their pets by microchipping them, in conjunction with National Pet Identification Week runs from today until the 14th. ‘La Semaine Nationale de l’Identification’ has been launched by the French Ministry of Agriculture and I-CAD, dog identification association. Identifying a pet permanently helps lost or stolen animals to be reunited with their families, and means that owners can be contacted easily should anything happen to them. Also, it makes it easier for authorities to catch illegal breeders. Cats and dogs in France can be identified with a microchip around the size of a grain of rice which is inserted under the skin of their neck. These contain 15 numbers that can be identified by an electric reader and are the only form of ID that is accepted if you wish to travel with your pet. Microchips have to be inserted by a registered vet and usually cost from €40-€70. More details can be found here