Yahoo News All cat owners face £500 fine from today unless they take immediate action
All domestic cat owners in England will be legally required to microchip their pets from today (June 10). Non-compliance with this new law could see owners facing a £500 fine.
Those found flouting the rules will be given a 21-day grace period to microchip their cats. Animal welfare groups and advocates have praised the legislation, emphasising its contribution to enhanced feline safety.
Westley Pearson, CEO at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, shared his satisfaction at the news, saying: "We are delighted that our feline friends are finally going to be offered the same level of protection as our canine companions, who have been protected under microchipping law since 2016. This essential change will make it easier to reunite any cats with their families should the heart-breaking situation of being lost or stolen arise."
He added: "It will also mean that should a cat be sadly killed in a road traffic accident, their owners can be notified and given the chance to say goodbye properly."
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The decision to implement this law was backed by a public consultation carried out from December 2020 to February 2021, which attracted over 33,000 responses. Astonishingly, 99 per cent of the participants agreed to the necessity and implementation of this new regulation, reports the MENews.
Mr Pearson is urging cat owners to act promptly in response to the forthcoming law, stating: "If your cat hasn't yet had this done, we urge you to get them microchipped as soon as possible to make it easier to be reunited should they wander or get lost in the meantime."
What exactly does microchipping entail?
Catrin George, an animal welfare specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, explained the importance of microchipping for pets. She said: "Put simply, a microchip is a tiny device with a unique number that is inserted under a dog or cat's skin to help make them easier to identify. If your pet is microchipped and goes missing, vets, local authorities, and rescue centres are able to scan your pet and find your details, helping you become reunited with your beloved furry family member."
She went on to describe: "Microchips are very small - around the size of a grain of rice. They are implanted under their skin (usually between their shoulder blades) using a needle. The procedure is very similar to a vaccination so whilst it can cause some slight discomfort, this passes very quickly."
Additionally, Catrin emphasised the durability of microchips, saying: "The great thing about microchips is that they are hardwearing and are designed to last your pet's lifetime, so once it is inserted all you need to do is ensure you keep your details up-to-date over the course of their life."
Catrin, a specialist in the field, provided guidance for those uncertain about their pet's microchip status: "Whether you rescued your pet or bought them from a breeder, you should hopefully have been given some documents to confirm their microchip number. If not (or you can't remember), your vet will be able to scan them to confirm if they are microchipped or not."
