Cat Microchipping Law
Throughout May, we are launching our Microchip May Campaign in line with the new legislation which is being introduced in England from 10th June 2024.
The law states that it will be compulsory for all owned cats to be microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks. Microchipping can also be done on other pets, such as rabbits and tortoises.
The microchip law is currently already in place for dogs, who must be microchipped before they reach 8 weeks of age.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is small computer, about the same size as a grain of rice, which is implanted beneath the skin. In cats this is typically placed between the shoulder blades.
A microchip allows for safe and easy identification if your cat is ever lost, injured or stolen. They are much more effective than ID tags or collars as they cannot come off.
Microchipping is a very quick and painless procedure which can be done during a consultation, or some owners prefer to have this done at the time of neutering
(castration or spay) while their cat is under a general anaesthetic.
It is extremely uncommon for cats to have an adverse reaction to being microchipped, however it can occasionally cause a small lump at the insertion site, but this does usually disappear after a few days on its own.
Each microchip contains its own unique code which will be registered to the keeper of the cat. It is extremely important for owners to keep their details up to date on an approved microchip database such as; PetTrac, Petlog or Identibase.
As many as 2.3 million owned cats are unchipped which means that if lost or stolen, these cats are extremely difficult to reunite with their beloved owners. On average a staggering 100,000 cats in the UK every year are unfortunately unable to be reunited with their owners. There are no on-going costs related to having a microchip, however some databases may charge a small fee for changing/updating details.
The legislation, which is due to take effect in June, has come after much deliberation from organisations like Cats Protection. They have fought for cat welfare since they were founded in 1927. Their efforts for protecting, rehoming, neutering and microchipping cats have not gone unmissed.
Owners of cats and kittens who are found not to comply, are given 21 days in order to have their cat microchipped otherwise they will then face fines of up to £500.
At Phoenix Vets Loughborough, we want to help all of our clients who need to get their cat microchipped, so we are offering microchipping with a nurse, at a discounted cost of £10 until the 10th June 2024.
If you would like to microchip your cat or are unsure how to check their details are up to date, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are here to help.
reception@phoenixvets.uk or give us a call on 01509 270997.
Phoenix Vets - Where Paws Are In Good Hands
At Phoenix Vets, we understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, which is why we warmly welcome not only cats, dogs and small furries, but also exotic species into our family-oriented practice. Our dedicated team is here to provide the same level of compassionate care to ensure the health and happiness of all your beloved family members.
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