Micro chipping for dogs is mandatory since 1 April 2016. The chip with the owner details must be registered on a recognised data base. This will ensure that should the dog wander off, is found and scanned for the micro chip, it will be returned to the owner.
It is equally important, if not more so, that cats also should be micro chipped since they are curious by nature and are more likely to wander from their home territory. High walls are no barrier to cats leaving their home and getting lost, whereas a dog, if so enclosed, will be less likely to scale these walls. Cats have been known to get into cars, unknown to the driver. They can end up miles from home but if micro chipped and registered, will be returned home safely.