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Lost cats less likely to get home than dogs, data shows
Only 40 lost cats were returned to their homes last year.
Statistics from Battersea show unmicrochipped cats often aren’t returned home.

Lost cats are almost three times less likely to be returned to their owners than lost dogs, data from animal welfare charity Battersea has revealed.

The data also showed that 59 per cent of cats that were brought into its shelters last year were not microchipped, compared to just 21 per cent of dogs.

This has meant that only 40 lost cats were returned to their homes last year, while microchipping has led to 474 dogs being reunited with their owners.

The data comes after the Government introduced new legislation which means it is compulsory for cats in the UK to be microchipped. The new rules mean that cat owners have until 10 June 2024 to microchip their pet and ensure up-to-date contact details are stored on the microchipping database.

Bridie Williams, rehoming and welfare manager at Battersea’s London cattery, said: “At Battersea, we know that losing a pet under any circumstances is a unique kind of pain. That’s why we were delighted to see the Government announce that all pet cats will soon have to be microchipped by law – legislation that we know will go a long way in ensuring more happy pet-owner reunions.

“However, we sadly still see many unchipped cats arriving at our centres, with no way of knowing whether these animals are strays or simply much-loved pets who have wandered too far from home.”

Battersea is urging cat owners not to delay with microchipping their cat or updating microchip details, as not doing this can leave them unable to reunite them with their pet if it arrives at one of their centres.

Bridie Williams said: “We’d urge owners not to wait until 2024 and speak to their vet or local rescue organisation about getting their cat chipped straight away. It is without doubt the most effective way of sparing yourself any future heartache in the distressing scenario they do go missing.” 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.