When it comes to the wellbeing of our furry friends, there is little that a pet owner would not do to ensure that their beloved companion is safe and cared for. However, despite all of the joy that pets bring to their devoted owners, there are times when they cause concern - particularly in cases when they fail to return home.
In a bid to reduce the number of missing cats, a new law is in place which requires all feline owners to microchip their pet. As reported by Manchester Evening News (MEN), all cats must be microchipped under the new rule, with their owners up-to-date contact details, and failure to do so could result in a £500 fine.
Cats must be microchipped by June 10 next year and owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or could be hit with the fine. Furry companions must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
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The new law will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.
The microchipping procedure involves a chip - generally around the size of a grain of rice - being inserted under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database.
If an animal is found, details can be taken from the microchip using a scanner, helping the animal to be reunited with its owner.
It will not be compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats. Owners with cats that are already microchipped should ensure their details are up to date.
There are over 9 million pet cats in England, with as many as 2.3 million unchipped, meaning that it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owner if they get lost or stolen. The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure.
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: "Cats and kittens are treasured members of the family, and it can be devastating for owners when they are lost or stolen. Legislating for compulsory microchipping of cats will give comfort to families by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners."
Madison Rogers, Cats Protection’s head of advocacy, campaigns and government relations, said: "Cats Protection is delighted that pet cats in England will be given the same protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping. The charity regularly reunites owners with their much-loved cats, and in most cases this is only possible thanks to microchips.
"No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance that a lost cat will be swiftly returned home."
