Microchip call to keep tabs on tabbies
VETS are encouraging Halton cat owners to microchip their feline friends to reduce the chance of losing their pet.
At the start of April, it became a legal requirement in England to have a dog over the age of eight weeks microchipped.
However, there is no such law for cats and in 2015, Cats Protection found homes for 44,000 animals, a number which could be dramatically reduced if all cats were microchipped, according to Vets4Pets.
Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: “Sadly, it is not unusual for cats to go missing or get lost as they are generally more independent pets that love roaming outside.
“Many cats enjoy spending hours, or even days, exploring their territory, but cars, and other animals can easily spook them.
“The result could see them hiding or running away and ending up lost, miles away from home.
“Microchips are designed to last the cat’s lifetime, so are a permanent source of identification and will significantly improve the chances of cats being returned to their owners safe and sound should they become lost.”
Dr Stacey added that a microchip was the size of a grain of rice which is injected under a cat’s skin between its shoulder blades in a quick and easy procedure which causes minimal discomfort.
Each microchip has a unique number which is registered against the owner’s contact details on a secure database and vets, cat charities and rehoming centres have access to scanners which when moved over a cat’s body can reveal if it has a microchip, Dr Stacey added.
He said: “Cats can usually be microchipped from five weeks onwards, so we recommend that owners ensure that their cat is microchipped before letting them outside for the first time.
“There are so many heartbreaking stories of cats going missing and never being reunited with their owners, so we would recommend all cats are microchipped.
“Not only do microchips help prevent theft and ownership disputes, they significantly increase the chances of owners and their lost cats being happily reunited.”
For more information visit www. vets4pets. com/ pethealth- advice/ cat- advice/ microchipping-your-cat