Do cats legally have to be microchipped?
In March 2023, the UK government announced that from 10 June 2024 all pet cats in England must be microchipped from 20 weeks of age. Owners will be given 21 days to have their cat chipped or face a fine of up to £500 for non-compliance. There is no minimum age for microchipping your cat.
Microchipping your cat in Scotland and Wales is currently not mandatory but is strongly advised by animal charities.
Can I post an ad to rehome my cat on Gumtree without the animal being microchipped?
From 10 June 2024, all cats over 20 weeks old must be microchipped before rehoming. It is best practice to state in your listing to whether the animal has already been microchipped.
Kittens may not be sold before they are 8 weeks old, but they may be advertised for rehoming on Gumtree before this age under the condition that the animal will not be rehomed until they are at least 8 weeks old.
How can I tell if the animal is microchipped?
The microchip is not visible. Therefore, when looking to rehome a dog or cat, always ask for proof that the microchipping has taken place. The proof could be a microchip certificate, vet record, insurance papers or pet passport.
Why is microchipping your cat important?
Cats love to explore but don’t always find their way home. Microchips provide an easy way to identify lost animals and quickly reunite them with their owners. It is recommended to have your cat microchipped before they go outside for the first time.
How does the cat microchip work?
The microchip is a unique identifier for the animal. Owners must register their details on a database so that when the microchip is scanned, they can be matched.
How much does it cost to microchip a cat?
Microchipping normally costs around £10-£30 per animal, but prices can vary. Microchipping must be delivered by a trained professional, such as a vet.
If unsure about how to microchip your cat, speak to your local council or animal rescue/rehoming centre for advice.
Will microchipping your cat hurt the animal?
Implanting a microchip into a cat is a painless process that takes just a few seconds. The microchip is around the size of a grain of rice and is normally implanted between the shoulder blades of the animal. Once implanted, the microchip should last for the lifetime of the animal.
Which animals need to be microchipped?
In addition to cats, it is a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and registered on a database by the time the animal is eight weeks old.
The full list of approved databases for both cats and dogs can be found on the Government website. The owner of the animal is responsible for ensuring the microchip information is up to date at all times.
