Compulsory Microchipping for Cats is Coming
Under the proposed Action Plan for Animal Welfare Act it will be compulsory to have your cat microchipped.
It is currently a requirement for dogs to be microchipped from 8 weeks old and since the introduction of this law there has been a 90% compliance among owners. Those who do not comply can be faced with a fine.
It also became compulsory for horses, ponies and donkeys last autumn.
We wholeheartedly recommend microchipping for pets – and support it becoming compulsory for cats. It is heartbreaking to have a stray cat brought into us with no way of finding their owner.
Microchipping also helps to prevent pet theft which has been on the rise over the last year – it hugely improves the likelihood of recovering your pet.
Microchipping is a safe, simple and quick procedure; the microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and each chip has a unique 15 digit code which is registered onto a national online database.
Vets, rescue centres and other animal professionals can then scan a lost pet and find the owner’s details easily and speedily. New pets are also scanned, so we can check the pet hasn’t been stolen in the past.
So if your cat hasn’t yet been microchipped, we recommend you book an appointment, or it can be done at your next routine appointment. Please do book online or call us on 01435 864422 if you have any queries.
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care With A Friendly Face
