SADLY, an increasing number of stray animals are destroyed each year, just because their owners cannot be traced.

Without proper identification tags, such as a collar disk or an internal microchip, it's virtually impossible for a vet, the police or RSPCA to reunite a lost pet with its distraught owner.

There are some quick and very simple steps you can take, which are relatively inexpensive, and will help to ensure that this doesn't happen to you if your pet should stray.

Virtually every high street has a cobbler or key cutter, who, for just a few pounds, will engrave a small identity disk with your dog's name and your telephone number, which can be attached to his collar.

If their inquisitive nature then leads them away from home, you can be contacted the moment they are found.

What if the collar comes off or the disk is lost? There are alternatives that provide a fail-safe way of ensuring your pets swift return.

For a one-off charge of about £20, your vet or veterinary nurse can quickly and painlessly implant a microchip under the skin by injection.

Every microchip stores a number, which is unique to you and your pet. This is matched with your name, address and telephone number, and held on the National Pet Log database for the whole of your pet's life. If your pet is found and taken to a pound, the police or a vet can easily scan for the chip and pick up the number. By contacting the NPL database for your details, the chances of his safe return are significantly increased.

Did you know that microchipping your dog or cat is also one of the first steps towards obtaining a pet passport, so that you can take him on holiday with you?

Pay a visit to your veterinary surgeon to find our more about the Pet Passport and travel schemes and the procedures involved. Q: I am planning to breed from my German Shepherd bitch, but am worried about hip dysplasia in her puppies. Is there anyway I can prevent it?

A: Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition, which most commonly affects medium to large dogs, particularly German Shepherds. Before you breed from your bitch, you should ask your vet to check her general health and examine her hip joints.

An X-ray should be taken at the same time, and from these tests, your vet will be able to tell you whether she suffers from hip dysplasia. The X-rays are also sent to a panel of veterinary experts at the Kennel Club. They judge the condition of each dog that is tested and keep a record of the results. It's very important that you check the condition of the male dog too. Ask the owners if they have had similar tests done and if they haven't, insist that they do before you agree to use him.

Regular but not too much exercise helps to develop strong muscles and tissue around the hip joints and a properly planned diet will prevent over-feeding and therefore excessive weight gain. You should seek advice from your vet about diet and exercise programmes throughout the pregnancy and a suitable plan for the puppies too.

Q: Can budgerigars talk?

A: Yes they can! The male birds have a better reputation for talking than females but it isn't very common. and they don't do it at will. If you have any pet questions you would like answered, send them to Doerte Boehle, Companion Care Veterinary Surgery, Pets At Home, Middlebrook Retail Park, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 6JA.