When compulsory microchipping for dogs came into effect in April 2016, there was a lot of chatter about why cats had been excluded from the legislation. Organisations such as Cats Protection and Cats Matter donned their campaigning hats and after a long, hard slog involving a lot of research and lobbying, a law making cat microchipping mandatory was passed in March 2023, setting a June 10th 2024 deadline for owners to comply.
And here we finally are. Vets have been booked up for the last few months, rescues have held microchipping events, media coverage has been good and awareness of the new law seems to be widespread. But awareness as to WHY cats should be chipped is very one sided.
Most people think that microchipping is all about tracing missing cats and reuniting them with their owners, and stories of such reunions are well documented and heart-warming. A chip offers a distraught owner hope, it can also offer closure when a deceased cat is found. But there are several reasons why chipping your cat is a good idea.
Chip technology has advanced a long way in a short time, and now has a variety of extra uses. Did you know for example that there are some brands of chip that enable a vet to take an animalâs temperature? No more âthe thermometer goes WHERE???â scandalised expressions from your furry friend! You can get microchip pet feeders which are an absolute Godsend if you have a cat on a strict diet, and microchip recognising cat-flaps, ideal for keeping cats you donât want in, out â and even ones that will allow some of your cats in and out but not others, great for making sure no-one does a runner before a vets appointment.
The primary reason for microchipping will always be identification, and most rescues are equipped with scanners so vets arenât inundated with chip check requests. Donât fall into the trap of thinking an indoor cat doesnât need to be chipped; new law aside, itâs almost MORE important to be able to ID indoor cats, because if they do get out â and they do, check your local Spotted pages! â they are more likely to be scared, get spooked and become disorientated.
But please. Donât ACTUALLY feed your cat chips!
Heads for Tails! is our hugely successful umbrella campaign that saw pet reforms included in the late, lamented Renters Reform Bill, which sadly never became law.
A simple change to existing legislation is the key to more landlords becoming pet friendly, and thatâs why we were able to secure such widespread political and corporate support first time around.
Whether itâs talking to the general public, clients,...
