Seven-day warning for cat owners before another £500 fine

From June 10, it will become law for all cat owners in England to have their pet microchipped, and owners found without their cat’s microchip will have just 21 days to get one implanted. After the 21 days, owners can face a fine of up to £500.

The law has long been called for by animal welfare authorities and campaigners and aims to keep cats safer in the UK.

Westley Pearson, Chief Executive Officer at Animal Friends Pet Insurance said: “We are delighted that our feline friends will finally be given the same level of protection as our canine companions, who are protected by the Microchipping Act 2016. This essential change. will facilitate the reunification of any cat with their families should the heartbreaking situation of being lost or stolen arise.

“It will also mean that should a cat be sadly killed in a road accident, their owners can be notified and given the chance to say a proper goodbye. A consultation held between December 2020 and February 2021 received over 33,000 responses in which 99% of people agreed that the new law should be implemented. When we surveyed our cat customers in 2021, 92% told us their cat was already microchipped, indicating that this safety measure is considered important to responsible owners.

“If your cat has not yet done so, we urge you to microchip him as soon as possible to make it easier for him to be re-homed if he strays or strays in the meantime.”

Catrin George, animal welfare specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance said: “Put simply, a microchip is a small device with a unique number that is inserted under the skin of a dog or cat to make them easier to identify. If your pet is microchipped and goes missing, vets, local authorities and rescue centers can scan your pet and find your details, helping you reunite with your beloved furry family member.”

Catrin added: “The microchips are very small – about the size of a grain of rice. These are implanted under the skin (usually between the shoulder blades) using a needle. The procedure is very similar to a vaccination, so although it may cause slight discomfort, it passes very quickly.

“The great thing about microchips is that they are wear-resistant and designed to last the life of your pet, so once it’s inserted all you have to do is make sure you keep your details up to date throughout their life .

Catrin said: “Whether you rescued your pet or bought it from a breeder, you should hopefully have received some paperwork to confirm its microchip number. If not (or you don’t remember), your vet will be able to scan them to confirm if they are microchipped or not.

“At Animal Friends, we also offer our customers the ability to store their pet’s microchip number in their online account so they have it ready if they ever need it. Unfortunately, some dog and cat owners may experience missing a pet at some point. Having your pet go missing is devastating, but having a microchip (with up-to-date details) can help them be much easier to identify and rehome.

“However, it is worth knowing that there are many microchipping websites, some of which are not approved by the government. When it comes to reliable sites to use, you can find the approved list of pet microchip databases on the Government website. If you can’t find or remember which database your pet’s microchip is registered on to update your address or contact details, you can also use check-a-chip.co.uk.”