Cat house owners have just below three months to verify their pets are microchipped or face a nice of £500.
It was introduced in March final 12 months that below new authorities regulation, all pet cats would should be microchipped by the summer season of 2024.
The new rule follows microchipping for dogs which has been obligatory in England, Scotland and Wales since April 2016.
Mayhew Animal Home who campaigned for the change defined: “There are over 11 million pet cats in England, with at least 2.3 million without a microchip (GOV.UK) meaning that it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owner if they become lost or stolen.
“In 2021, we and other animal welfare charities collectively campaigned for a change in the law so that cats are required to be microchipped – this has been compulsory for dogs since 2016.”
Do cats legally need to be microchipped?
From June 10 in England, it is going to be a authorized requirement for cats to be microchipped and registered on a database by the point they attain 20 weeks of age.
Owners discovered to not have microchipped their cat can have 21 days to have one implanted, or might face a nice of as much as £500,
Mayhew Animal Home says the brand new laws applies to indoor cats too.
The charity added: “Indoor cats can escape through open windows and doors that have been left open by mistake, especially in warm and hot weather.
Is your cat microchipped? (Image: Getty)
“Unneutered males and female cats who are in season which are kept indoors can sometimes be very keen to escape to find a mate.
“When an indoor cat escapes, they are at higher risk of becoming lost as they would be in unfamiliar surroundings.”
How a lot ought to it cost to microchip a cat?
Microchipping is often carried out by vets, vet nurses and individuals who have been specifically educated.
Mayhew Animal Home commented: “Getting your pet microchipped is a fairly quick and simple procedure. Vets will usually charge between £10 and £30 to do this.”
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When the laws was introduced in 2023, chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss stated: “I am pleased that we are progressing with our requirement for all cats to be microchipped.
“Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.
“By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.”
