Is Microchipping compulsory?
The Government’s announcement on 13 March 2023 that all pet cats in England must be micro chipped by 10 June 2024 and you will be given 21 days to get your cat chipped or face a fine of up to £500 if you don’t comply.
Why should I microchip my cat?
Whether you’ve just bought a kitten or adopted an older cat, making sure they are microchipped should be high on you priority list. Microchipping your cat gives them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they are lost or stolen.
Microchips are safe, easy to implant and effective. Unlike collars and ID tags, microchips don’t come off and they don’t put your cat at risk of injury.
How does microchipping work?
A small chip (around the size of a grain of rice) is inserted under your cat’s skin – usually by your vet, a local authority or a trained and insured member of an animal welfare organisation, such as Cats Protection. This microchip gives your cat their own unique code.
If your cat were to go missing, the microchip would be scanned with a microchip scanner and matched to your contact details, which are kept on a cat microchip database.
How much does it cost to microchip a cat?
At the Minster Veterinary Centre we charge £15 to chip a pet at vaccination or neutering, or £20 if a separate appointment is needed, this includes the registration to PetLog for yours pets chip details.
Are there ongoing costs associated with microchipping a cat?
Amending your contact details on a cat microchip database can mean paying a fee. Depending on the database, this might be a one-off fee for the lifetime of your cat, or a cost every time you update.
Will microchipping harm my cat?
The procedure to microchip your cat is quick and is no more painful than an injection.
There is no need for ‘recovery’ from the procedure and it won’t cause your cat any discomfort or pain – in fact, they’re unlikely to know it is even there.
When should I have my cat microchipped?
In England from 10 June 2024 it will be compulsory to have your cat micro chipped from 20 weeks of age, but there is no minimum age to have your cat micro chipped. It is recommended to have your cat microchipped before they go outside for the first time.
Many kittens are microchipped at the same time as being spayed or neutered, when they are already under general anaesthetic, with the new laws for chipping we will be re-assessing our policy for age and weight of neutering.
Do I have to microchip my cat?
From 10 June 2024, it will be a legal requirement in England to have your cat micro chipped and you may be fined if you don’t.
If you want peace of mind, getting your cat micro chipped is essential. Cats are keen wanderers and making sure they can be easily identified will increase the chances of a happy reunion if they do stray too far.
Is my cat microchipped already?
If you’ve adopted a cat from Cats Protection or another animal welfare organisation, there is every chance that your cat may already have a microchip. You’ll need to make sure that your contact details appear when your cat’s microchip is scanned.
How do I go about registering a cat microchip?
If you have had your cat micro chipped by Minster Veterinary Centre, we will register your details online for you. You’ll usually be sent registration documents following the procedure, within a couple of weeks.
If you don’t receive anything please contact us or PetLog. Remember to keep your registration documents and cat’s microchip number safe.
What if I move home or change my phone number?
Keeping your details up to date is vital to ensuring you can be contacted – many cats are unfortunately not reunited with their owners due to forgetting to update their details. Here are our three easy steps for updating your microchip.
- Get your cat’s microchip number. Keep your cat’s microchip number stored away so you can have it to hand. Not sure what it might be? Call your vet to see if they have it in their records, or take your cat to the vet to have them scanned.
- Get your cat’s microchip brand. Lost your original paperwork? You may be able to check your cat’s details by entering their number using Petlog’s look-up tool.
- Update. Now that you have your cat’s number and contact information of the brand they are registered with, call them or go to their website to update your details.
I have lost my cat. What should I do?
If you’ve lost your cat and they’re already microchipped, it is best to let your microchipping company know. They’ll make sure your details are up to date.
If your lost cat is found and taken to a vet or animal welfare organisation, you’ll be contacted to arrange a reunion. Find out more about what to do if your cat goes missing.
How do I transfer ownership of a pet with a microchip in the UK?
Looking to rehome your cat? You’ll need to contact your microchip database to complete the transfer of ownership documents.
This information was gained from the Cats Protection
