Cat owners told they must do 'most important thing' after law change
We all have our own way of telling our pets we love them – whether it’s letting them hog the duvet, picking up a pack of their favourite treats or spoiling them with a full-on snuggle fest on the sofa. But of course, it’s not just doing the fun stuff that means we care.
All those everyday, mundane tasks like cleaning the litter tray, using flea treatment and feeding a good diet are all ways we keep the cat in our lives happy and healthy. Thanks to the growing understanding of cat behaviour, we now know there’s a particularly important act of love you can do for them – have them microchipped.
Cats in England must be microchipped by law
If you’re a cat owner in England, you may already know that it’s a legal requirement for your pet to be microchipped. The law came into force in June 2024. But wherever you live, microchipping makes sense – and 73% of owners have already had their cat protected with one.
Cats Protection behaviourist and TEDx speaker Nicky Trevorrow said: “Microchipping is one of the best things you can do for your cat. It’s a very special moment when pets are reunited with their owners and seeing it first-hand makes me even more passionate about microchipping.”
Microchips get cats home quickly
Even the most street-savvy of cats can get lost – particularly if they get spooked by another animal, traffic or building works. And indoor-only cats are just as at risk – cats are naturally curious animals and over the course of their lifetime, it’s possible they’ll have the opportunity to get outdoors at some point. This can be a frightening experience for your cat and they may be hungry, cold and stressed.
Nicky said: “Thankfully, there’s often a kind Samaritan who will notice a lost cat and take them to be scanned for a microchip. But if there is no microchip, their identity will be a mystery and it is unlikely their owner will be traced.
“Some lost cats will be taken to animal charities like Cats Protection and will be kept in care while attempts are made to trace an owner, often without success. This means they spend a long time in care, whereas with correct microchip details, we can have cats back at home straight away.”
Should the worst happen and your cat is injured while out and about, they will hopefully be taken to a vet. One of the first things a vet will do is scan for a microchip so they can get in touch straight away with their owner.
“No-one wants to think of their cat being alone, scared and injured at a vet practice, and thanks to a microchip, that needn’t be the case,” said Nicky. “You can be alerted straight away, pass on important details on their medical history and make decisions about their care. Of course, it also means you can be with your cat quickly and either bring them home to recover or take them some home comforts, like a favourite blanket.”
Microchips support natural cat behaviour
Collars can be uncomfortable for cats and may cause nasty injuries if they get caught on a branch or fencing while outdoors.
Nicky said: “Microchips are much safer for cats and enable them to carry out their natural behaviour – like climbing - without the risk of getting caught up and injured. Some owners like to ‘double-up’ with both a collar and a microchip. If you do, remember to always buy a quick-release collar which is less likely to get caught and cause injuries.”
One of the biggest mistakes a cat owner can make is to not have their cat microchipped because they are indoor-only pets.
Nicky said: “Cats that live indoors are perhaps even more at risk of getting lost than cats which are used to going outside. Despite your best efforts, there’ll always be occasions when indoor-only pets may slip out – perhaps a guest leaves a window open or you’re distracted with a delivery.
“Because they’re not used to being outside, your cat may not be able to navigate their way back home. No-one can be 100% certain their home is escape-proof, and it could be an awful experience for both your cat and you if they get out and have no means of identification. So for the peace of mind of knowing you’ve done all you can to keep your cat safe, it’s best to microchip all pet cats.”
Microchips get your cat back to the right home
If your cat gets lost and is taken in by an animal charity like Cats Protection, they’ll do everything they can to try and trace an owner.
Nicky said: “We scour social media and go through lost and found reports of missing cats, to see if we can trace owners of un-microchipped cats. But more often than not, we draw a blank which means we may end up needing to find them a new owner. This may mean your beloved cat has to wait to find a new home and then settle into a whole new life away from everything they’ve previously known.”
Unlike collars, microchips can’t be tampered with and they stay in place forever – so for a one-off payment of between £10 and £30, you get lifelong protection for your cat.
“Microchipping is part of the cost of getting a cat, and something you should factor in before you even bring your new cat home. But the good news is that it’s a one-off procedure and will remain effective for life, so long as you keep your microchip details up to date with your database company. Having your cat microchipped will link them to you forever, so it’s one of the most important things you can do for them.”