Chips with everything
New laws mean that your dog or cat must be microchipped, says Paul Lewis.
If you were not sure what to buy your pet for Christmas, you may want to treat it to a new year microchip – a tiny device, the size of a grain of rice, implanted by syringe under the skin on the back of its neck.
All dogs must be chipped by law, and the same is true for cats in England. Nevertheless, a recent survey by a pet food maker found that about one in six dog- and cat-owners wouldn’t get their animals chipped. That’s a risky decision. Owning an unchipped cat in England or an unchipped dog anywhere in the UK can mean a fine of up to £500. And chipping only costs on average £14.50, either at a vet or a local animal charity – some may even do it free. So it’s a cost-effective present for you too.
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All dogs over eight weeks must be chipped, but chipping cats over the age of 20 weeks only became compulsory in England in June 2024, and many cat-owners may not be aware of it. The law applies even if your pet lives permanently indoors. (There is no cat-chipping law in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, but it is recommended by animal charities.) One benefit is that you can buy catflaps that can be programmed to read the micro-chip and let in only specified cats, although they can be expensive.
A chip enables your pet to be identified if it is lost or suffers an accident, so contains a unique reference number that gives the owner’s details. It’s also an offence not to keep those details up to date if you move or change your phone number. Make sure you only use one of the officially registered microchip databases and never respond to cold calls or emails about microchipping.
A cat or dog that is not microchipped may be seized by the local council or even the police. Such action may be rare, but a chip is for the benefit of both you and your pet – so getting it done is a good way to start the new year for you and your furry friend. Chipping is no more painful for an animal than any other routine injection, so garnish that trip to the vet with one of Rover or Mog’s favourite treats, and they may even thank you for it!