Cat owners in England are facing a new mandate requiring them to microchip their pets by June 10, 2024. The law stipulates that all cats must be microchipped and registered on a designated database by the time they reach 20 weeks of age. This initiative aims to improve the likelihood of reuniting lost or stolen cats with their owners.
According to recent statistics, approximately 25 percent of cats in England—nearly three million—are not yet microchipped. Once the new legislation is active, cat owners who have not complied will be given a 21-day grace period to have their pets microchipped. Failure to meet this requirement could result in a fine of up to £500.
Microchipping is heralded as the most effective method to ensure a lost or stolen cat can be promptly returned to its owner. Additional advantages include the use of microchip-activated devices such as cat flaps and food bowls, which enhance the management of a cat’s movements and dietary habits within the home.
A spokesperson from Cats Matter charity described the microchipping process as “quick, simple, and painless,” involving the insertion of a chip—roughly the size of a grain of rice—beneath the cat’s skin. This chip carries a unique serial number that must be registered by the owner on an official database.
When a cat is found, a scanner can read the microchip and identify the registered keeper from the database, facilitating a quick reunion between the pet and its owner.
The government has emphasized the necessity of this procedure, reminding pet owners that microchips must be implanted by a trained professional. This can be arranged through veterinary clinics, local councils, or local rescue and rehoming centers, though a fee may be applicable.
The government and animal welfare organizations strongly encourage compliance, stressing that the new law aims to protect and benefit both cats and their owners.
