An urgent warning has been issued to millions of people the United Kingdom who owns a cat after a significant change to the law.
The law change, which came in to effect today (10 June), issues a large-scale change to pet ownership across the UK.
And in this instance, it impacts loads of us who own a cat.
Initially passed by politicians as a way of helping lost or stray felines, it means changes for you even if you have a house cat who never leaves your gaff.
Advert
What's the law change?
The law was actually passed in 2023 but is only going live from 10 June, 2024.
Under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, it means all cats must now be microchipped and registered on to a national database.
This is just for those living in England. Cat owners in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland don't have to do this.
In total, it's expected to impact around 2.3 million cats that aren't microchipped.
What are the specifics?
It doesn't apply to every single cat.
The law will apply to every cat that is aged 20 weeks and older. That includes indoor cats.
It's a little different for animals classed as 'free living cats' who don't have an owner and roam free. So if you have a cat near you that you put food out for, it's not your responsibility to get them chipped.
It comes as the RSPCA has said that one in 10 cats going into their care were still not microchipped.
Microchipping itself involves a very small procedure where a tiny chip is 'quickly and simply' put under the feline's skin, giving them a unique code. Microchipping costs between £10 and £30.
What if I don't microchip my cat?
It's not worth it, trust us. You'll be slapped with a £500 fine by not obeying the law on this front.
It wont be an instantaneous fine as the law recognises people can't just drop everything to do to the vets for something like this.
Instead, there will be a 21 day period in which to carry the procedure out and prove evidence of it.
Vet Rory Cowlam, RSPCA ambassador and CBBC presenter, told the BBC: “The thought of a pet going missing and never being able to find them is a pet owner's nightmare, which is why microchipping is so important.
"Having microchipped many animals myself, I can assure you it’s quick, easy and is the best way to ensure that if your pet does go missing, or becomes injured, they can be reunited with you."
Madison Rogers, from the Cats Protection charity, said: “Some owners think they are never going to go through the trauma of losing their pet cat, but in the last year 115,000 pet cats in England went missing and never returned home so this is much more common than people think.”
Tom Earnshaw