Microchipping Cats: Law Implementation And What It Means

As of 10 June 2024, it became a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks. Owners who fail to comply within 21 days of this deadline may face fines of up to £500. The new rule was introduced to help reunite lost or stray pets with their owners, with an estimated 2.8 million cats in the UK currently unchipped.

Cats over 20 weeks must be microchipped

Microchipping is a simple procedure where a small chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted under the cat's skin. This chip contains a unique code that can be read by a scanner and matched to the owner's contact details on a microchipping database. The procedure is similar to a vaccination injection and causes little to no discomfort to the cat. The cost of microchipping ranges from £10 to £30, and it is recommended that owners also budget for potential costs associated with updating their contact details on the database.

The benefits of microchipping are significant. It is the best way to ensure lost or stolen cats are returned to their owners. Cats are naturally curious and love to explore, so there is always a risk they may wander too far and get lost. Microchipping gives owners peace of mind and increases the chances of a safe reunion. It is also useful in identifying injured cats or informing owners if their cat has been involved in an accident.

Additionally, microchipping can help resolve ownership disputes. Cats often visit other households and may be adopted by well-meaning families who mistake them for strays, especially if they are not wearing a collar. Microchipping provides proof of ownership and ensures cats can be quickly reunited with their rightful owners.

It is important to note that the new law in England applies to all pet cats, including indoor-only cats. However, it excludes unowned cats such as feral and community cats. While microchipping is not yet mandatory in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, it is strongly recommended for all cat owners to improve the chances of being reunited with their cats if they go missing.

Owners have 21 days to comply

As of 10 June 2024, it is a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped. Owners now have 21 days to comply with the new law, which states that cats must be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks of age. If owners do not comply within the 21-day period, they may face a fine of up to £500.

The new law was introduced to help reunite lost and stray cats with their owners. Microchipping is a simple procedure that involves inserting a small chip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the cat's skin. The chip contains a unique serial number that can be read by a scanner and checked against a microchip database. This allows lost pets to be quickly reunited with their owners.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) estimates that there are 2.8 million unchipped cats in the UK, which makes it difficult to reunite them with their owners if they get lost or stolen. The new law is expected to help address this issue and improve animal welfare.

To comply with the new law, owners can take their cats to a vet or a private implanter to get them microchipped. The cost of microchipping typically ranges from £15 to £30. After the procedure, owners need to register their cat's microchip on an authorised database and keep their contact details up to date. This ensures that they can be easily traced if their cat goes missing.

It is important to note that the microchipping law only applies to pet cats and excludes unowned cats such as feral and community cats. However, indoor-only cats must be microchipped as well. By prioritising microchipping, cat owners can increase the chances of being reunited with their beloved pets if they ever go missing.

Fine of up to £500 for non-compliance

As of 10 June 2024, it is now a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped. Owners who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to £500. This legislation was introduced to help reunite lost or stray cats with their owners, as microchipping is a safe, quick, and effective method for identifying lost pets.

The new rules state that cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach 20 weeks of age. Their contact details must be stored and kept up-to-date in a DEFRA-compliant microchipping database. This ensures that if a cat is found, the registered owner can be identified through a unique serial number on the microchip, which can be read with a scanner.

Owners who have not microchipped their cats by the deadline will be given 21 days to have a microchip implanted. If they do not comply within this period, they may be subject to a fine of up to £500. The average cost of microchipping and registration is around £25, and it is a safe and simple procedure that can be performed by a licensed, experienced implanter.

It is important to note that microchipping is not compulsory for free-living cats with little to no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral, or community cats. Additionally, cat owners are responsible for keeping their contact information updated in the microchipping database. This ensures that they can be reached if their cat goes missing and is later found.

The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping has been widely supported, with 99% of respondents in a government consultation expressing their approval. It is expected to provide peace of mind for cat owners and increase the chances of reuniting lost cats with their families.

Microchipping helps reunite lost cats with owners

Microchipping is an effective way to ensure that lost cats are reunited with their owners. Cats are naturally curious and love to explore, which means they can easily get lost or wander too far from home. A microchip gives them the best chance of being returned safely.

A microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, that is inserted under the cat's skin. The microchip contains a unique code, which is registered on an authorised database alongside the owner's contact details. If a lost cat is found and taken to a vet, their microchip can be scanned electronically and matched to the owner's details on the database. This allows the vet to contact the owner and reunite them with their cat.

The process of microchipping is quick and simple, similar to receiving an injection, and the cat should experience little to no discomfort. It is also affordable, costing between £10 and £30 in the UK. Owners should also be aware that there may be additional costs for registering the microchip and updating their contact details on the database if needed.

In England, it is now a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old. This law was introduced on 10 June 2024 to help reunite lost and stray cats with their owners. Owners who do not comply within 21 days of this deadline may face a fine of up to £500.

Microchipping is an essential step for all cat owners to take, as it greatly increases the chances of being reunited with their cat if they ever become lost or stolen. It is a safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive way to ensure the safety and well-being of beloved pets.

Contact details must be kept up-to-date

As of 10 June 2024, it is a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped. This law states that cats must be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks of age. Owners who do not comply within 21 days of this deadline may face a fine of up to £500.

The microchip must be registered on a Defra-approved microchipping database, along with the owner's up-to-date contact details. This is crucial, as it is the only way to ensure that a lost or stolen cat can be reunited with its owner. Without a microchip, a lost cat will likely be rehomed, as there is often no way to trace the original owner.

To update your contact details, you will need your cat's microchip number. If you do not have this to hand, you can call your vet to see if they have it on record, or take your cat to the vet to be scanned. Once you have the microchip number, you can confirm which database your cat is registered with by entering their microchip number into an identi lookup tool. After this, you can update your details by calling or going online.

It is important to note that there may be a fee for updating your contact details, depending on the database. Some databases charge a one-off fee for the lifetime of your cat, while others charge a cost every time you make an update.

Frequently asked questions