Itabashi Ward in Tokyo will start issuing residential cards for dogs on Monday in a bid to encourage more pet owners to officially register the animals, according to ward officials.

For registered dogs only, the cards will be issued free of charge at public health centers in the ward. The postcard-size residential card will bear the dog's name, picture, address, birth date and other information such as inoculation records, the officials said.

"Issuing residential cards for dogs is rare in Japan," said an official, adding that the move is aimed at encouraging dog owners to register their dogs and have them inoculation for rabies.