Image: Photo by Louis Droege on Unsplash
In December 2021, as part of the government review on microchipping pets and the government’s action plan for animal welfare, it was announced that microchipping cats was going to be made compulsory. An official date is yet to be announced.
It is estimated as many 2.8 million cats are unchipped in the UK, and as many as 8 out of 10 stray cats coming into Cats Protection Centres are unchipped (source: Gov.uk 2021).
Under the new plans, all cat owners must ensure:
Their pet is microchipped before 20 weeks (5 months) of age
Contact details are stored and kept up to date on microchipping databases
If owners are non-compliant with the above, they have up to 21 days to have a microchip implanted. Otherwise, they could face a fine of up to £500.
As a practice, we welcome this new law with open arms. Microchipping is a safe and easy way to ensure you and your pet are reunited if your pet wanders too far or is injured and handed into a vet practice.
If you would like to book in your pet for microchipping, please contact us on 01665 252 250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk
For more information, see Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cat-microchipping-to-be-made-mandatory (Accessed 18.01.22)
