Cat microchipping now mandatory for ALL cats in England

[vickster]

Or risk a fine
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cat-microchipping-now-mandatory
(I’m sure responsible England based CCer cat owners already have their mogs chipped but just in case)

 

[DCLane]

Both of ours were done by the RSPCA as part of the adoption process, even if they lied to us about the Manx being fully grown (and not a Manx cat). My views about the fine being £500 compared to other things would put this into NACA territory however.

What about strays? Farm cats? There's a lot of moggies out there which won't be tracked or chipped yet; i.e. there's a stray that comes wandering in, eats our cat's food, then wanders off probably to find food elsewhere. It's not ours, nor anyone else's, and hasn't been able to be caught yet.

 

[lazybloke]

Farm cats are one of several exemptions.

Our youngest cat is chipped. Our eldest isn't. She went to the vet last month for her annual service, and they didn't mention it. Suppose i'd better book her in.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Police have announced a new task force aimed at catching untagged cats:

 

[T4tomo]

even if they lied to us about the Manx being fully grown (and not a Manx cat).

Was it the long fluffy tail that gave it away.

What about strays? Farm cats? There's a lot of moggies out there which won't be tracked or chipped yet; i.e. there's a stray that comes wandering in, eats our cat's food, then wanders off probably to find food elsewhere. It's not ours, nor anyone else's, and hasn't been able to be caught yet.

It seems to me like a dumb law. How is it enforceable? Whilst Dogs are usually out with their owners, (most) cats roam free. So how does one check that a cat is chipped - you have to catch it first - most will bugger off if you try.

Once you found and unchipped cat how do you find its owner? Follow they cat??? most visits several homes, even if you're banged to rights with a knock on the door, the old "nope not mine, it's just a stray who visits a lot..." line will see you off scott free.

 

[vickster]

Both of ours were done by the RSPCA as part of the adoption process, even if they lied to us about the Manx being fully grown (and not a Manx cat). My views about the fine being £500 compared to other things would put this into NACA territory however.

What about strays? Farm cats? There's a lot of moggies out there which won't be tracked or chipped yet; i.e. there's a stray that comes wandering in, eats our cat's food, then wanders off probably to find food elsewhere. It's not ours, nor anyone else's, and hasn't been able to be caught yet.

Strays may be taken to a rescue, chipped and neutered if needed and hopefully rehomed.
That’s what happened with my Harry at Battersea 13 or so years ago, he’s still with me.
The main aim is to identify cats that have strayed or got lost.
Presumably, vets will mention/check when a cat in brought in by their owners and instigate the chipping.
My previous cat managed to travel 50 miles in the back of a furniture van. If he hadn't been chipped (another rescue chipped before rehoming), I may never have got him back.
i’m all for responsible pet ownership

 

[T4tomo]

The main aim is to identify cats that have strayed or got lost.
i’m all for responsible pet ownership

Pretty sure most of us are, but this law wont achieve that. Potentially irresponsible owners aren't going to bother in the first place.

My cat used to have my phone number on its collar, I used to get messages from a 1/2 mile radius of my home with "this cat looks lost" (most unhelpfully with no location of where she actually was!) I got sick of replying with, no its just out for a walk / sunbathe in the park, she'll make her way back later for dinnertime, which she always did.

Having a microchip mainly means if your cat ends up at a local vet without you, then you can be identified pretty quickly.

 

[vickster]

Was it the long fluffy tail that gave it away.

It seems to me like a dumb law. How is it enforceable? Whilst Dogs are usually out with their owners, (most) cats roam free. So how does one check that a cat is chipped - you have to catch it first - most will bugger off if you try.

Once you found and unchipped cat how do you find its owner? Follow they cat??? most visits several homes, even if you're banged to rights with a knock on the door, the old "nope not mine, it's just a stray who visits a lot..." line will see you off scott free.

Social media, appeals by vets, rescue organisations. I would think most people who have lost a cat and want it back, would seek to find it in these ways . Lots of posts on NextDoor by people who have lost or found cats

 

[vickster]

Pretty sure most of us are, but this law wont achieve that. Potentially irresponsible owners aren't going to bother in the first place.

My cat used to have my phone number on its collar, I used to get messages from a 1/2 mile radius of my home with "this cat looks lost" (most unhelpfully with no location of where she actually was!) I got sick of replying with, no its just out for a walk / sunbathe in the park, she'll make her way back later for dinnertime, which she always did.

Having a microchip mainly means if your cat ends up at a local vet without you, then you can be identified pretty quickly.

Exactly or a rescue place. That’s the point.
Or to identify a cat who has been injured or killed.
It’s not about cats who go for a scally and come back for dinner.
I don’t know why you wouldn’t chip a cat you care for. I’ve never bothered with collars for more than a day or two after my boys have managed to “lose” the first five !
It’s up to the owner ultimately, I was just posting about a change in the law

 

[T4tomo]

Exactly or a rescue place. That’s the point.
Or to identify a cat who has been injured or killed.
It’s not about cats who go for a scally and come back for dinner.
I don’t know why you wouldn’t chip a cat you care for. I’ve never bothered with collars for more than a day or two after my boys have managed to “lose” the first five !
It’s up to the owner ultimately, I was just posting about a change in the law

mine were chipped, like @DCLane, done as part of the "adoption" process.

My point was / is that this new law is stupid and pointless and pretty much unenforceable for the reasons I outlined. Chipping should be a choice, not mandatory and not subjecting people to fines if not done.

 

[vickster]

mine were chipped, like @DCLane, done as part of the "adoption" process.

My point was / is that this new law is stupid and pointless and pretty much unenforceable for the reasons I outlined. Chipping should be a choice, not mandatory and not subjecting people to fines if not done.

You’re entitled to your view

It looks like the rescue organisations lobbied for this, not government instigated
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7221y677nqo.amp

 

[Mo1959]

mine were chipped, like @DCLane, done as part of the "adoption" process.

My point was / is that this new law is stupid and pointless and pretty much unenforceable for the reasons I outlined. Chipping should be a choice, not mandatory and not subjecting people to fines if not done.

I won’t be bothering. Molly is strictly indoors and doesn’t even show any interest in getting out.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I won’t be bothering. Molly is strictly indoors and doesn’t even show any interest in getting out.

Loads of people say that, then one day their cat gets out and goes missing or even worse?
At least if they are chipped it can help get them home.
It's sad, its £10-£15 ish.

 

[Drago]

Mandatory for ALL cats?

Including cats in lower case.

Tough talk of fines, etc, but I can see a flaw. How do you fine an irresponsible cat owner if they haven't chipped the cat and you don't know who they are?

"Here's a fine for not midrochipping your cat."

"Eh? Its not  my cat." And because there's no chip it cant be proven otherwise.

A law with no reasonable or practical means of enforcement is a complete waste of time and resources.

 

[vickster]

Mandatory for ALL cats?

Including cats it lower case.

Eh?