Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter expresses strong support for the newly introduced legislation mandating cat microchipping across England. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, led by The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP, laid out this significant legislation on 13 March 2023, aligning with the Government’s manifesto pledge to improve animal welfare.

The new rules stipulate that all owned cats must be microchipped by 10 June 2024. With over 9 million pet cats in England and approximately 2.3 million unchipped, the legislation aims to increase the likelihood of reuniting lost or stray cats with their owners. Owners will be required to have their cats implanted with a microchip by the age of 20 weeks and to maintain updated contact details in a pet microchipping database. Failure to comply will result in a 21-day period to rectify the situation or face a potential fine of up to £500.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey highlighted the emotional bond between families and their cats, stating, “Legislating for compulsory microchipping of cats will give comfort to families by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners.”

The Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, emphasised the efficiency of microchipping, noting that microchipped pets are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owners. “By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing,” she added.

The Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter has recently taken proactive steps to support this initiative. In collaboration with Blythman and Partners Veterinary Practice, the Shelter hosted a successful cat microchipping event, offering the service at a significantly reduced price of £5 as a donation to the Shelter.

Anjuli Hakin, Head of Animal Welfare, expressed satisfaction with the new legislation, acknowledging its importance in reuniting lost cats with their owners. “A cat with a microchip has a stronger chance of being promptly returned home than a cat without. But we must urge owners to act responsibly and ensure their details are up-to-date,” Hakin stated.

The Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership, urging cat owners to microchip their pets and keep their details current, but also recognises the role that the community plays in wrongfully labelling cats as strays. Anjuli concludes, “There is also a role for the community to understand the behaviour of cats, that are often outdoor animals and can roam far on their daily travels. Please think twice before picking up a neighbourhood cat and taking it outside of its familiar surroundings as it will likely take itself home when ready to do so.”