Some people who acquire a new cat or dog may be unsure of the law when it comes to microchipping them. Part of that lies in the fact that the provisions for cats are different depending on where in the UK you live.
There is a difference between England, on the one hand and the rest of the UK, on the other, when it comes to cat chip registration rules, but there is no difference for dogs. The situation at present is as follows:
- Throughout the UK, dogs have to be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old.
- In England, it is mandatory to microchip cats by the time they are 20 weeks old.
- Not having a pet chipped when this is required by law can lead to you being fined £500.
- Cat chipping is optional in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This means the law is straightforward with dogs, but less so with cats. Cat chipping has been required in England since June 2024, The devolved administrations have not done this yet, but animal charities have been campaigning hard for the law to be aligned with England.
Why Should You Get Your Cat Chipped Whether It Is Compulsory Or Not?
Among those campaigning are the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals (SPCA), which wants to see Holyrood change the law in Scotland.
At the same time, the SPCA has listed several reasons for owners to go ahead and get their cats chipped anyway, without waiting for a law change.
- The identification is in place for life
- If a cat is lost and found, there is more chance of it being reunited with its owner.
- Owners can easily be identified if a cat is stolen or there is an argument about who owns it.
- A chipped cat is a less attractive prospect for pet thieves
If you have just acquired a new cat or dog, you need to make sure you are compliant with the law and avoid a fine. But even if you live outside England and chipping your new cat is not a legal requirement, it makes sense to have it done anyway.
