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It’s been on the cards ever since dog microchipping became compulsory in the UK, and as of June 2024, it is now a legal requirement that all pet cats in England are microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
Breeders do not need to chip cats before selling them, but most rescues will do so and incorporate the price of chipping into adoption fees. Owners not only enjoy the benefits of following the law, but they can enjoy an increased chance of being reunited with a lost cat much sooner than if the cat was not chipped.
What Is Microchipping?
When a cat is microchipped, a small microchip inside medical glass is inserted just under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades. If the cat goes missing and is recovered by a vet or a rescue, they will be able to scan the cat. Scanning the cat gives a microchip ID (a unique serial number) that can be checked against the relevant microchip database, which contains contact details for the cat’s owners.
The owner is called, and they can be reunited with the cat, typically within a matter of hours, rather than days. It puts less pressure on rescues and shelters and ensures quicker reunion of lost pets and concerned owners.
UK Microchipping Law
Before 2024, around three-quarters of pet cats in the UK were believed to be microchipped. While this represents a large majority of the feline population, it still meant that around 2.4 million pet cats were not microchipped.
The government introduced a new law that came into effect in June 2024 and that required all owners in England to microchip their cats before they reached 20 weeks of age. Owners who fail to have their cats chipped face fines of up to £500 and might find it difficult to reclaim their cats in some cases. Currently the law is only applicable to cats in England, and is not compulsory for free living cats with little or no human interaction such as feral cats.
The Benefits of Microchipping
- Easier for Rescues and Shelters – Typically, when somebody finds a lost or stray cat, their first port of call is a local shelter or rescue. This puts a lot of pressure on the rescue, and it means they end up housing, feeding, and caring for the animal. If the cat is chipped, they will usually be returned to their owner within a matter of hours and after one scan and a quick phone call to the owner, making it much easier for rescues.
- More Chance of Cats Being Returned Home – Sadly, when cats go missing, they can travel a long way from their home, which makes the search for a lost cat very difficult. If the cat is chipped, there is a much greater chance of it finding its way home. And, if the worst has happened, a vet or warden will be able to inform the owner what happened to their cat. Although heartbreaking, that means they can stop looking.
- Owners and Cats Are Reunited Sooner – Finding a lost cat means putting up posters, calling rescues and shelters, and knocking on neighbourhood doors. It can take several days or longer before a cat is returned. If a cat is found, most people will take it to a local shelter, where it will be scanned, and if it has a chip, it can be back in its home within a matter of hours rather than days.
- Avoid Fines – Failing to microchip a cat can land the owner a fine of up to £500. Paying the £30 chipping fee not only helps ensure the quicker return of the cat if it gets lost, but it can also save the owner having to pay a £500 fine.
The Microchipping Procedure
Microchipping is a simple and relatively painless procedure. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and consists of a small, electronic chip enclosed in a cylinder of medical glass. It is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades with a needle, usually by a vet. Although the needle is larger than most injections, it is quick and fairly painless, similar to a normal injection. The procedure takes a few seconds, there’s usually no need to even shave the area, and the cat can go straight home after the chip has been inserted.
Changing Details
Once the chip has been inserted, details of the new owner are sent to whichever company manages the microchip database. If the cat is rehomed, the old owner needs to contact the database company to have them register the new owner’s details. If the owner changes their address or phone number, they need to have the details updated on the database.
What to Do If You Lose a Microchipped Cat
If you lose a cat that has been microchipped, you should still look for the cat. Check buildings like sheds and garages and call around and check with neighbours. You should also check that database details are current, and you can start to ring around rescues and shelters.
Also check with local vets, because some people will take cats they find to the vets rather than shelters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get My Cat Chipped for Free?
There are some charities and animal organisations that will microchip cats for free, but most vets charge a fee to carry out the procedure. Charities might offer the service for free to owners who are on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits, and it is worth checking if you believe you might be entitled.
How Much Does Microchipping a Cat Cost in the UK?
Costs vary from one vet or one location to the next, but the microchipping process typically costs between £10 and £30. It might be possible to get the procedure for free, and most rescues and shelters ensure all of their cats are microchipped before they are adopted out.
There may be a fee if you ever need to change the address or phone number details that are stored on the database, but the company should make you aware of these charges when you join.
What Should I Do If I Find a Chipped Cat?
If you find a lost or stray cat, take it to a local vet or animal shelter. They will be able to scan the cat to find a chip and then locate the owner using the details stored on the microchip database. You might be asked to hold on to the cat until the owner is located, but most vets and shelters will keep hold of the cat during that time.
Does a Microchip Prove Ownership of a Cat?
A microchip is not treated as absolute proof of ownership, but if a dispute arises, it may be presented as evidence, and it can help ensure that your cat is returned to you in the event of theft.
Can I Microchip My Cat Myself?
Microchipping a cat means injecting the microchip under the skin of your cat and the procedure needs to be carried out by a professional, who will also register the microchip details as part of the procedure. You should not attempt to carry out the procedure yourself.
Conclusion
Microchipping helps ensure that lost cats are reunited with their owners sooner and it can also help alleviate the burden from rescues and shelters. Since June 2024, it has been a legal requirement that all pet cats in England are microchipped before they reach 20 weeks old.
Failing to have a cat microchipped can lead to a fine of up to £500 and it will delay the return of the cat to you, in the event they go missing. The procedure is quick, painless, and inexpensive, and it can be carried out by your cat’s vet with the details being given to a recognized cat database company.
Featured Image Credit: Lucky Business, Shutterstock
