Feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed now spring’s here? There’s lots to get up to out and about in Kent with your four-legged friend.

Losing a pet is any owner’s worst nightmare, so getting them microchipped means you have peace of mind if they go AWOL.

There are a number of events coming up where you can get your dog chipped for free.

FREE CHIPS

On Wednesday, March 2 between noon and 2pm head to the Burham village hall in Rochester Road for the free microchipping service by Tonbridge and Malling council.

The following week on Wednesday, March 9, also between noon and 2pm, the service will be on offer at Wrotham Recreation Ground in Old London Road.

Dog warden Lorraine Baseden will be giving advice on everything from dog care and grooming to training and security and Circle Housing Russet will also be running a photo competition.

The Dogs Trust will also be at Coxheath village hall in Stockett Lane between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday, March 8.

For details on the chipping campaign Stay Together Forever for Free visit www.dogstrust.org.uk or for more information go to www.tmbc.gov.uk/dogs.

You can also get your dog microchipped free at Tesco in Bridge Road, Sheerness, between 10am and 2pm on Friday, February 26.

It is organised by the police and the Dogs Trust as from April 6 the law is changing and owners will be required to have their dogs microchipped. You can go no matter where you live in the county.

Don’t forget to get your chip updated with your new address if you move house.

GREYHOUNDS

Kent Greyhound Rescue will be collecting money accompanied by some of the dogs looking for homes at the Mid Kent Shopping Centre in Allington, Maidstone, on Saturday, February 27 between 11am and 4pm. For details go to www.kentgreyhoundrescue.com.

WALKIES

Looking for new places to walk your dog? We have some here for you

FAMOUS KENT PETS

Dog loving funnyman Alan Davies presents Channel 5’s Dog Rescue, which is partly filmed at the RSPCA’s Leybourne rescue centre in Castle Way.

Camp comedian Julian Clary lives in Aldington and was initially famous as The Joan Collins Fan Club, accompanied by his whippet Fanny the Wonder Dog. She died in 1999 aged 19.

Comedian and neighbour of Julian’s, Paul O’Grady, loves dogs so much he has presented ITV’s For the Love of Dogs about Battersea Dogs Home since 2012.