More than 40,000 pet dogs in Guangdong's provincial capital will have a special microchip inserted beneath the skin before the 16th Asian Games open in November, police have said.

Three children caress a pet dog in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. [China Daily]

In addition to the dog's data, such as the date of birth, health condition and vaccine injection details, the chip, also known as an electronic dog identity card, records the name and address of its owner.

Luo Zhenhui, deputy director of the Guangzhou bureau of public security, said on Sunday that the chips will help manage the large number of pets in the city, and police authorities are busy purchasing the necessary equipment and chips. The scheme is expected to begin in two months.

"Injection of the rice-sized chip will be free after the dog owners apply for a dog license for their pets and pay the annual fees," Luo said.

The annual fee for owning a dog in Guangzhou is 500 yuan ($73) for the first year, falling to 300 yuan from the second year.

The chip, which has a 20-year lifespan, will last a dog's whole life, as most dogs have an average lifespan of 16 to 17 years, he said.