One in 10 people are still unaware of England’s cat microchipping law, while over a third of people struggle with the cost of chipping their feline friends, according to a shocking new RSPCA survey.
Since June last year, it has been a legal requirement in England for owned cats over 20 weeks old to be microchipped.
Microchipping is the best way to ensure that should a cat become lost, stolen or injured, they can more easily be reunited with their owners. The RSPCA also hopes that this will help to improve cat welfare by providing a deterrent to owners and reducing the number of cats being dumped.
However, despite the law coming into effect half a year ago, a new survey conducted by the RSPCA of animal welfare supporters has revealed that 11% of people said they were unaware of the change.
And over a third (36%) said that one of the most common challenges to microchipping their cat was the cost. Having an indoor cat they didn’t believe needed to be chipped (21%) and a lack of vets or struggling to get a vet appointment (17%) were other reasons given for not getting cats chipped.
Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “We all want the best for our cats so it’s really important that owners ensure their cats are microchipped. We understand that the cost of microchipping can sometimes be a barrier especially during the cost of living crisis but we’d urge owners to reach out and see what help is available to them.”
Microchipping can cost anywhere from £15 to £30, however, some vets include microchipping as part of their health plans, and some charities, including some RSPCA centres and branches, offer discounted microchipping and neutering too. It’s important that owners do their research to make sure they can afford all of the costs associated with being a responsible pet owner.
Alice added: “Microchipping is the best way to make sure that should they become lost, stolen, or injured, your cat can more easily be reunited with you. Indoor cats still need to be microchipped by law – and although they are not free roaming like outdoor cats, indoor cats can, unfortunately, become lost if they do get out of their house as they are often unable to find their way back, so it’s just as important that they are chipped too.
“As we strive to create a better world for every kind – we’d urge owners who haven’t got their cat microchipped yet to contact their vet to book an appointment or they could face a hefty fine of up to £500 – that means it is around £480 cheaper to chip your cat! Owners will also be required to keep their contact details up-to-date on a pet microchipping database, which is a great way to ensure your feline stays safe.”
The RSPCA is also campaigning for the compulsory microchipping of owned cats to be introduced by the Welsh Government in Wales too.
For more information on microchipping visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/health/microchipping
If you’re a pet owner who’s struggling to cope with the cost of food or healthcare, visit the RSPCA’s Cost of Living Hub for advice and support.
