Cat microchipping is now compulsory in England

As of June 2024, cat microchipping has become compulsory for cats in England!

A microchip can be an invaluable tool to help your pet find his or her way back home and it is very simple and painless to implant. This way, someone with a chip reader (for instance, a vet or the local council) can quickly find your contact information and reunite your pet with you!

Has your cat been microchipped yet? Keep reading to learn about the new law and how to ensure your feline friend's safety.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a small transmitter that is about the size of a grain of rice and it can easily be implanted under your pet's skin, where it will remain all of their life without bothering them.

It contains a special number that can be read with a scanner and this links back to your contact details in a database.

The price for a microchip is around £10 to £30, but some charities will offer it for free, making it an extremely cost-effective way to help protect your cat from getting lost.

How can microchipping help bring my cat home?

As we've mentioned, the microchip transmits a number that can be used to find your contact details in one of the microchip databases available in the UK.

This means that, should your cat escape or get lost, he or she can be brought to a vet, a pet charity, or the local council and be checked for a microchip. They will be able to match your cat with your contact details, significantly increasing the chances of you being reunited with your furry friend.

Unlike collars or other accessories, a microchip is unlikely to get lost (though rarely it might change location and be harder to find at times) or deactivated.

However, if you change your address or phone number, you must update this information on your microchip's database every time that you do! Many pets have been found with microchips only for the details to be outdated, making it much harder to find their owners.

Can I get a fine if my cat isn't microchipped?

With the new law in effect, non-compliance can cost you up to £500 in fines! From 10th June 2024, all cats older than 20 weeks must be microchipped, and owners have 21 days to resolve this situation before being issued a fine.

This law is only in effect in England but we recommend that you microchip your cat regardless of where you live – it's a simple, cost-effective procedure that can be done by any vet and it might mean the difference between a reunion or your cat not being able to be tracked!

 

In summary:

• The new microchipping law makes it mandatory for all cats over the age of 20 weeks in England to have a microchip implanted;


• A microchip is a small transmitter that is easily implanted and won't harm your cat;


• It contains a number that can be matched to your contact details, enabling your furry friend to return to you;


• Failure to comply with the microchipping requirement might mean a fine of up to £500.

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