philip_gatward©Starting 10 June 2024, all pet cats in England must be microchipped. From this date, owners will be given 21 days to get their cat microchipped or they could face a fine of up to £500.
And soon, this law may be introduced in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Today, Cats Protection is raising awareness of the importance of microchipping your cat as a fundamental step towards ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
What do you need to know about microchipping your pet cat?
Microchipping gives cats a safe and permanent method of identification and increases the chances of a lost cat being safely reunited with their owner.
We all want to do the best we can for our pet cats, and microchipping your cat gives them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they are lost or stolen. Microchips are safe, easy to implant and effective.
There is no minimum age to have your cat microchipped, so many kittens are microchipped at the same time as being neutered. It is recommended to have your cat microchipped before they go outside for the first time.
Unlike collars and ID tags, microchips don’t come off and they don’t put your cat at risk of injury. And no need to worry about discomfort. Once the chip is implanted it is pain-free and requires no recovery time.
Microchipping works by inserting a small microchip (around the size of a grain of rice) under the cat’s skin, usually done by your vet or a local authority. Each chip has its own unique code, so if your cat were to go missing, the microchip may be scanned and matched to your contact details which are securely kept on a cat microchip database.
After you get your cat microchipped, it’s important to register your contact details.
If you adopt your cat from an organisation like Cats Protection, your cat’s microchip will be automatically registered to you. Once you formally adopt your cat, you’ll be given the paperwork complete with the cat’s microchip number.
If you have had your cat microchipped by a vet or another organisation, talk to them about how to register the microchip. Usually you will be sent registration documents within a couple of weeks of microchipping taking place.
Don’t forget to keep your registration documents and cat’s microchip number safe.
Are there any costs in microchipping my pet cat?
Having the peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to ensure the welfare of your pet cat is priceless. But there are small costs associated with microchipping your cat.
In the UK, you can expect to pay anywhere between £20 and £30, depending on where you live. Speak to your local vet for details.
If you adopt a cat from Cats Protection you can be assured that the cost of microchipping your cat is included in your adoption fee. If you adopt from another organisation and the cat has already been microchipped with a previous owner’s details, or if you move home, you may need to update or amend your contact details on the database, which can require a fee.
And with the new legislation coming into effect, it will soon be mandatory for owners to keep their contact details registered against the microchip up-to-date.
Depending on the database, this might be a one-off fee for the lifetime of your cat, or a cost every time you update.
Cats Protection supports microchipping pet cats
As advocates of cat welfare, Cats Protection supports the campaign to make it compulsory to microchip all pet cats.
Every cat deserves the best life possible. So whether you’ve just bought a new kitten or adopted a senior cat, making sure they are microchipped should be top of your list. Not only will microchipping your cat preserve your peace of mind, it’s the best way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your cat.
If you’re interested in learning more or want to check if your cat is already microchipped, get in touch with Cats Protection today.
Gifts in Wills fund these vital services
Almost half of the vital work of Cats Protection, such as microchipping, is funded by gifts in Wills. This valuable way of giving to charity secures the futures of cats across the country and keeps them purring for years to come.
Find out how you can leave a gift in your Will here.
