Cat house owners have lower than two months to get their feline microchipped or face a hefty superb, but information from comparability website Go Compare reveals almost 1 / 4 of homeowners nonetheless have not accomplished it.
The new rules will come into power from 10 June 2024 and failing to fulfill this deadline might additionally impression your pet insurance coverage cowl.
With time ticking, Which? reveals what cat house owners have to know in regards to the new regulation and explains the implications of not microchipping your four-legged pal.
What are the brand new microchipping guidelines for cats?
A microchip placed beneath your cat’s pores and skin, often across the shoulder space, is used as a type of identification ought to your cat get misplaced. Up till now it is solely been obligatory for canine house owners, however will probably be rolled out to incorporate all cats from 10 June.
The new guidelines require felines over 20 weeks old to be microchipped by a educated skilled corresponding to a vet or native rescue and rehoming centre. A singular code is saved on the chip and, when scanned, will be matched to the proprietor’s contact particulars. These are saved on a nationwide database.
Of course, should you transfer home or change cellphone quantity you will want to inform the database you are registered with in order that they’ve your up-to-date contact particulars. There’s often a small charge for doing so.
According to welfare charity Cats Protection, the worth of microchipping can fluctuate, however will often cost between £20 and £30. Some charities and cat rescue organisations, nevertheless, supply microchipping providers at a decreased fee and even free of charge. Blue Cross, for instance, hosted a free microchipping occasion in March, whereas the RSPCA presents the service for simply £10 per pet.
- Find out extra: finest cat insurance coverage 2024.
What occurs should you do not microchip your cat?
Microchipping is a fast and simple process, however Go Compare discovered that 22% of cats throughout the UK nonetheless do not have one. Owners discovered to not have microchipped their cat after the brand new guidelines are launched, nevertheless, could have 21 days to do it or face a doable superb of as much as £500.
But what impression might failing to microchip your cat have on pet insurance coverage cowl?
Rhys Jones, pet insurance coverage knowledgeable at Go Compare, says whereas it’s unlikely that an insurer will robotically void your insurance coverage should you don’t have your cat microchipped, it could impact your skill to make a declare within the occasion of theft or lack of your pet.
Which? analysis discovered house owners whose ‘theft and straying’ coverage is invalidated on account of not microchipping might probably lose out on 1000’s of kilos value of assist in finding their lacking cat.
Our evaluation of 150 cat insurance policies in December 2023 discovered all of them provided promoting and rewards prices ought to a feline go astray. While round half (49%) coated as much as £1,000, greater than a 3rd (38%) provided to pay-out over £1,500.
Some insurers will even pay again the quantity you paid in your pet or what it is value at present market worth, in case your pet is not discovered or dies earlier than a sure age.
To make a declare, you will want to offer proof of buy from if you purchased your cat and receipts for any promoting prices or rewards provided.
- Find out extra: finest pet insurance coverage corporations
4 different methods to discover a lacking cat
The very first thing to do in case your cat goes Awol is to verify the microchip database your pet is registered with. But there are different steps you possibly can take to seek out your furry pal:
1. Search probably hiding locations
Cats are notoriously good at squeezing into small areas and discovering unlikely cosy nooks to curve up in. As a end result, they will typically discover themselves trapped or at risk.
So earlier than you ship out a search squad, ask neighbours to verify their gardens, garages, sheds and automobiles.
2. Spread the phrase
Find clear images of your cat and stick up posters across the native space – down your avenue and in close by parks. Include a transparent description, title of the puss, your contact info and particulars of any reward provided for locating.
You can even report your cat lacking on pet web sites corresponding to Animal Search UK, Dogslost, or National Pets Register.
Social media platforms corresponding to Facebook, X (previously Twitter), and Instagram might help get the phrase out too, however be very cautious about sharing any private info on these websites. You also needs to be careful for potential scammers which will name up claiming they’ve discovered your lacking pet.
3. Contact native organisations
You can contact your council’s animal welfare service staff when you have misplaced your cat. People who’ve discovered a stray can even report it to the native authority.
But do not cease there. Ask native vet surgical procedures and animal or pet charities such because the RSPCA to see if any cats have been discovered lately. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London additionally has a misplaced dogs and cats hotline house owners can name for assist being reunited with their lacking animal.
4. Report to police
Some pedigree breeds are costly to purchase and might subsequently be a goal for thieves. If you imagine your cat has been stolen relatively than received misplaced, it is essential you report it to the police. Under present regulation, pets are labelled as property and so are coated by the 1968 Theft Act.
Which? Limited is registered in England and Wales to 2 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DF, firm quantity 00677665 and is an Introducer Appointed Representative of the next: 1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home, journey, pet, van and momentary insurance coverage merchandise (FRN 610689). Inspop.com Ltd is authorised and controlled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer recommendation and prepare non-investment motor, home, journey and pet insurance coverage merchandise (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, firm quantity 03857130. Confused.com is a buying and selling title of Inspop.com Ltd. 2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN 656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts, who’re authorised and controlled by the FCA to offer recommendation and prepare Pure Protection Contracts. LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, firm quantity 03412386. 3.Which? are an Introducer Appointer Representative of Optimise Media Limited (FRN 313408), for the introduction of HSBC Group, who’re authorised and controlled by the Financial Conduct Authority to offer credit score brokering exercise. Optimise Media is registered in England and Wales to Exchange Street Buildings, 35-37 Exchange Street, Norwich, England, NR2 1DP and firm quantity 04455319. We don’t make, nor will we search to make, any suggestions on monetary services or products which can be regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you on this method. In some circumstances, nevertheless, we’ve got included hyperlinks to regulated manufacturers or suppliers with whom we’ve got a industrial relationship and, should you select to, you should buy a product from our industrial companions. If you go forward and purchase a product utilizing our hyperlink, we’ll obtain a fee to assist fund our not-for-profit mission and our campaigns work as a champion for the UK client.
