Cat Micro-chipping:
The government has brought forward a new law to make it a legal requirement to micro-chipping pet cats.
From June 10th, all cat owners need to have micro-chipped their cats.
The requirement applies to cats who are 20 weeks or older. The microchipping also means that cats and their owners have their details recorded on a national database.
The cost for the process, which you can talk to your vet about, should be about £25.
The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.
Microchipping is not compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.
Failing to comply with the law could see owners receive a fine of up to £500.
You can also get help with microchipping your cat from the RSPCA in Salford, you can contact them at Admin@rspca-manchesterandsalford.org.uk
Tom Togher
June 12, 2024.