VET Tony Regan has some advice for pet owners during the warm weather.

Mr Regan, who has a number of surgeries throughout the Bolton and the North-west area, says straying is a year round problem but tends to increase dramatically during the warmer weather.

He says: "More people take their dogs out, cats roam further and the perennial 'latch-key' dog problem seems to worsen.

"Even the best cared for pet will stray given half a chance. Results of straying can be very dramatic and nearly always the pet comes off worst. Extra work is put upon the already overworked rescue societies." Mr Regan believes "several simple methods" will help to reduce straying. He says: "Neutering of cats and dogs, as well as reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kittens will help to reduce straying as the urge to go out to reproduce is lessened."

He says that correctly identifying your pet is very important in ensuring straying animals are returned to owners as soon as possible.

He recommends name tags for collars bearing only the pet's name and your telephone number.

"Do not put your name and telephone number on the tag as this gives burglars the opportunity to check if you are home."

He adds: "The best method to permanently identify your pet is to take plenty of photographs from all angles and then have your pet micro-chipped. "With this system a small micro-chip is injected under the skin. Each micro-chip has a unique code which can be read by a hand-held reader. The chips can be inserted by a veterinary surgeon or some of the rescue societies. It is quick and easy to insert the chip and other than a very occasional migrating chip, or slight reaction at the injection site, is without problem.

"The owners' and animals' details are then kept at a central database for the life of the pet. There is no ongoing charge as the implanting fee covers lifetime registration." Mr Regan explains: "As veterinary surgeons we are often involved with stray animals being involved in fights or road accidents where it is very important to contact the owner. We often find cats dead by the side of the road and check them for chips so we can inform the owners of their pet's demise.

"Large numbers of dogs are now being stolen, particularly of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. Chips are the best means of identifying your dog."