Being a pet owner can be expensive enough without risking fines. However, cat owners are now facing a hefty fine if they’re found not following one new rule. Last year a law for mandatory microchipping was introduced – a microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the same size as a grain of rice, that is inserted under an animal’s skin.
Every microchip contains a unique code, which is registered on an authorised database alongside contact details for the cat’s owner. The new legislation requires all pet cats in England, including those kept indoors, to be microchipped and registered on a secure database by the time they are 20 weeks old. If you live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is not mandatory but owners are still urged to microchip their cats. This gives you a better chance of finding your pet if it’s lost or stolen.
A year on, data from Go.Compare pet insurance reveals that more than one in ten (13%) of cats in the UK remain unchipped. There is a £500 fine for unregistered pets.
The law requires every cat’s microchip to be fitted by a trained professional, such as a vet, and that their contact details be kept up to date on an approved database.
Microchips contain vital information such as your cat’s unique identification number, your name, your home address, your mobile number and your email address.
Rhys Jones, pet insurance spokesperson for Go.Compare, said: “It’s concerning to see that, a year on from the new legislation in England, many cat owners still haven’t had their cats microchipped.
“The benefits of getting your cat microchipped go beyond making sure you are compliant with the law – should your cat wander off and go missing, it can make a real difference as to whether you are reunited or not.
“It’s a quick and minimally invasive procedure and can be done during a regular check-up with the vet. Not only does it provide peace of mind for you, but it is also often a requirement for travelling abroad with your cat, in the EU or beyond.”
