FOLLOWING new legislation, it has become mandatory for cat owners to get their cat microchipped.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has said all cat owners should now have their pets microchipped as the new law came into force on Monday, June 10.

The department said this in a press release: "With more than 9 million pet cats in England, the introduction of mandatory microchipping will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

The new law came into force on Monday, June 10The new law came into force on Monday, June 10 (Image: Canva)

"Microchipping is already compulsory for dogs and is proven to be the most effective method for identifying lost pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner."

The UK government set a legal deadline which was confirmed in legislation in March 2023, giving owners overs a year to comply with the new requirements.

The government warns that failure to comply with the new law could see owners receive a fine of up to £500.

The government warns that failure to comply with the new law could see owners receive a fine of up to £500.The government warns that failure to comply with the new law could see owners receive a fine of up to £500. (Image: Canva)

The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet.

The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database.

When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

Who is exempt?

Owned cats must be microchipped before reaching 20 weeks of age, with their contact details stored and kept up to date on a pet microchipping database. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors. 

The new law on microchipping also applies to cats that usually only stay indoors. The new law on microchipping also applies to cats that usually only stay indoors. (Image: Canva)

Microchipping is not compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.

How much does it cost?

While prices vary, microchips have an average cost of £25 for microchipping and registration. 

Charities and reputable cat rescue organisations may be able to microchip a cat for a reduced rate.