Government announces compulsory microchipping of pet cats in England
13 March 2023
Following years of campaigning, we’re delighted with the news that the government announced on 13 March 2023 the introduction of compulsory microchipping for pet cats in England.
Cats Protection has spoken up for cats to lead this major step forward for cat welfare.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that the new requirement will come into force from 10 June 2024. Cats Protection has been calling for the law to include all owned cats since it was first introduced for dogs to be microchipped in 2016.
The new regulations will mean that pet cats have to be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old. This should make it easier to reunite lost cats quickly with their owners. For Cats Protection, this means it’ll be able to help lost cats more quickly, freeing-up space in fosterers' facilities to care for more cats.
This is a major step forward for cat welfare in England. Microchipping is simple and the most effective way of re-uniting owners with their cats should they become lost or stolen. Research shows that, across the UK, some 2.8 million (25%) cats are not microchipped. In England, where the new law will apply, there are some 2.3 million cats that are not microchipped and, at the moment, 80% of the stray cats that come into our care are not microchipped.
While this is brilliant news for the welfare of cats in England, cats in the rest of the UK should not be left behind. Cats Protection will continue to speak up for cats by urging politicians to introduce the measure in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Q: Is it cruel to microchip a cat?
A: Cats Protection recommends microchipping as the safest, permanent method of identification for cats.
Unlike collars, microchips don't come off, or put cats at risk of collar-related injuries. The procedure is
simple and doesn't harm the cat. A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under
the cat’s skin between the shoulder blades with a dedicated device known as an implanter.
Q: What's wrong with collars?
A: Collars, unlike microchips can come off, or put cats at risk of collar-related injuries. If owners do choose to
have a collar fitted, Cats Protection advises fitting collars with a 'quick release' or snap opening
collar.
Q: Does it hurt the cat to get a microchip?
A: The procedure is very quick and cats recover very rapidly, though it can be a little uncomfortable in the
moment. Ideally, microchipping can be done at the same time as neutering while a cat is under
anaesthesia.
Q: Can cats have an adverse reaction to a microchip?
A: It is very rare for a cat to have an adverse reaction to a chip such as infection as they are supplied
sterile. As with dogs, we would expect any new legislation to allow vets to exclude cats from compulsory
microchipping on health grounds.
Q: I’ve heard microchips cause cancer in cats – is this true?
A: While there is an extremely small chance that a cat may have an adverse reaction to a microchip, there
are no cases in published literature where a formation of a tumour could be directly linked to a microchip.
For the small number of cats who suffer an allergic reaction, we would expect any new legislation to allow
vets to exclude cats from compulsory microchipping on health grounds (as with dogs).
Q: What does the 10 June 2024 introduction date mean?
A: From this date, it will be mandatory for pet cats over the age of 20 weeks to be microchipped and
owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a
fine of up to £500. Full details are available on Defra’s website.
Q: Why does this new law only apply in England?
A: Animal welfare is a devolved issue, and so far, only the Government in Westminster has committed to
introducing compulsory microchipping for pet cats. Cats Protection is continuing to campaign for the
measure to be introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Q: What about the cost - why should owners be forced to pay out, especially during the Cost of
Living Crisis?
A: Microchipping is part of responsible cat ownership and helps ensure an owner has a greater chance of
being reunited with a lost pet. Therefore, anyone considering getting a cat or having a litter
of kittens should take the costs of caring for their cat, including microchipping, into account.
Q: Why don’t some owner’s microchip their cats?
A: Some owners say their cat is an indoor cat or rarely goes outside so doesn’t need to be microchipped,
with the top reason being identified as cat ‘does not stray’. However, cats are masters of escape and we
often hear about indoor cats that have jumped from open windows and cats who slipped out from their
carrier on the way to the vet. Cats are free to roam, so there is more opportunity for them to get lost. The
cost of microchipping is rarely the reason an owner does not do it.
Q: Will compulsory chipping only apply to owned cats?
A: Yes. The point of compulsory microchipping is to reunite a cat with its owner, therefore feral and
community cats would not be included under the regulations. Also feral cats are almost impossible to scan!
Q: Why should owners be forced to microchip their cats, surely it's up to the owners?
A: Having your pet cat microchipped is part of responsible pet ownership. It has been compulsory to
microchip dogs in the UK since 2016. Making it compulsory for cats would bring parity to these two popular
companion animals. Microchipping helps to ensure that an owner has a greater chance of being reunited
with a lost cat. If a cat is sadly involved in a road traffic accident and taken to a vet for treatment, an up to
date microchip would allow the vet to get consent for any necessary treatment from the owner.
Q: Compulsory microchipping was introduced for dogs because they can be dangerous. This is not
the case for cats so why does it need to be compulsory?
A: For cats it is a question of welfare rather than danger. Microchipping is part of responsible cat ownership
and helps ensure an owner has a greater chance of being reunited with a lost pet as cats free roam more
than dogs. If a cat is sadly involved in a road traffic accident and taken to a vet for treatment, an up to date
microchip would allow the vet to get consent for any necessary treatment from the owner.
Q: How easy would it be for someone to change my cat's microchip details? Can someone steal my
cat by changing their microchip details into their name?
A: As with any organisation which stores personal data, microchip companies have a responsibility to
protect the information they hold about their customers. There may sometimes be times where details on a
microchip need to be changed by a third person - for example, by a family member where the owner has
died, or by a rehoming charity where a stray has been handed in and the owner can't be traced due to out
of date contact details. In any case, we would expect microchip companies to carry out necessary security
checks before changing a cat's microchip details. It is vital that owners ensure their cat's details are kept up
to date with any changes of address or phone numbers. Owners should also alert microchipping companies
if their cat goes missing or if they have reason to believe someone may be attempting to access their
microchip details without permission.
Q: Do microchips track cats like a GPS tracker?
A: No, they don’t show the location of a cat. Microchips last a lifetime and are inserted under the skin of a
cat. They work by showing a unique microchip number which allows an owner’s details to be identified by
the relevant database company the details are registered on. GPS trackers are attached to a collar or
harness and they continuously calculate the location of your pet using GPS satellites and unlike microchips,
require a power source to work.
Q: Will it be possible for 2.3 million cats to be microchipped within a year when there are
widespread vet capacity issues?
A: Microchipping can be carried out by vets, registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and others who have had
appropriate training such as council workers and those who work for animal welfare charities. This
increases the capacity for chipping and many vet practices will use RVNs to carry out the procedure. For
young cats and kittens, it is best to get the cat chipped when they are at the vet practice for neutering as
the cat is anaesthetised and it is more time efficient. Chipping must be done by the time the cat is 20 weeks
of age so this has the additional benefit of encouraging owners to get their cats neutered promptly before
they reach puberty.
Q: Shouldn't the government be focusing on other things?
A: Cats are hugely popular pets, owned by just over a quarter of UK households (26%). 92% of these
owners consider their cat part of the family. Cat welfare is therefore of huge importance to many people
and it is only right they are given the full protection of our animal welfare laws. Compulsory microchipping of
pet cats was a manifesto commitment from the Conservative Party in 2019.