Microchipping your dog is now legally required under Irish law, as of March 31st 2016. Microchipping involves injecting a small electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the dog's skin at the back of the neck. This chip contains a unique 15-digit code that can be scanned to identify the dog. It is crucial that owners register their dog's microchip number on an approved government database along with the dog's name, address, and contact details. Registering this information could help reunite an owner with their lost dog if it is ever found.