DEREK the kitten is among hundreds of pets being microchipped at the Blue Cross Centre this month.

To mark the start of National Microchipping Month, the Blue Cross in Lewknor is urging pet owners to make sure their animal is chipped and their details up to date.

Blue Cross worker Jolene Gibbs, pictured with eight-week-old Derek, said: “We take in hundreds of stray cats and dogs every year and, while many are much-loved pets that simply wandered off, we’ve got no way of reuniting them with their devastated owners.

“Either the pet hasn’t been microchipped or their family have moved or rehomed them without updating their details on the database.”

For the rest of this month The Blue Cross’ sister centre in Burford has urged pet owners to bring in their own animals for a discounted chip. Chips will cost £10 throughout June. They normally cost about £30.

Picture: OX52402 Ed Nix