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MICROCHIPPING - Cats Protection survey highlights the need to microchip your cat

Cats Protection’s Stourbridge, Dudley and Wyre Forest Branch is keen to promote microchipping as one of the best methods of pet identification in light of a survey by the charity revealing that almost one in two cats that go missing never return. Now spring is here and cats are more prone to go a-wandering, it's a good time to think of having your cat microchipped.

The research, conducted by Cats Protection and Your Cat magazine, revealed that 49 per cent of missing cats either failed to return home or were never found and, crucially, fewer than 50 per cent of missing cats had any sort of identification tag.

“It is very sad to think that some found cats are never reunited with their owners so making sure your cat is easily identifiable is vital to increase the chance of a happy reunion,” explained Pauline, CP Stourbridge's Co-ordinator. “Microchipping offers cats a safe method of identification which can be more reliable than other forms of identification such as collars that can get removed, snagged or lost. However, if you do choose to put an ID collar on your cat, it is important to make sure it is a quick release safety version and that it is correctly fitted,” she added.

Microchipping is a simple procedure, no more painful than an injection, and can be performed by a vet or other specially-trained personnel. A small microchip, smaller than a grain of rice, containing a unique identification number, is inserted under the cat’s skin between his shoulder blades. The number is linked to a database containing details of the pet, as well as the owner’s contact details. When a scanner detects the microchip, a simple phone call can ascertain the owner’s details and the pet can then be quickly returned home.

“However, it is very important pet owners keep their details up to date so owners should check their certificate which will tell them how to do this,” said Pauline.

[Note: Microchips can migrate to other locations under the skin so it is important that a cat is scanned all over when checking for a ‘chip. It is also a good idea to have a vet or other trained person scan any recently acquired cats that are presumed to be lost or strays, to double-check that they don’t already have a ‘chip.]