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Cat microchipping becomes compulsory in England
Last year 115,000 pet cats in England went missing, and were not returned home.
Up to 2.2 million cats are still not microchipped.

A new law has come into effect in England, which makes it compulsory for all pet cats over the age of 20 weeks to be microchipped.

However, despite owners facing a fine of £500, Cats Protection estimates that up to 2.2 million cats are yet to meet the new requirements.

Cats Protection has stressed the importance of microchipping all pet cats. It says that an up-to-date microchip can make it easier for feline charities, veterinary practices and local councils to reunite lost cats with owners.

Last year 115,000 pet cats in England went missing, and did not get returned home.

The animal welfare charity’s Cats And Their Stats report for 2024 revealed that there were 1.9 million cats in England which were not microchipped. There were also approximately 300,000 cats where owners were unsure if they were microchipped.

One in four of the pet owners who had not had their cat microchipped felt they did not need to as their cat did not go outdoors, whereas one in five said their cat did not travel far when they left the house.

Around one in seven cat owners believed that their cat would be identifiable from its collar. Another one in seven said they had never thought to microchip their cat.

Cats Protection has responded to these misconceptions, stating that a microchip is the safest way to secure a cat is returned home if it becomes lost.

The welfare charity says that indoor cats are also at risk of getting lost, due to their agile nature. If a window or door is left open, they can easily escape onto the streets.

A cat collar is also not considered an efficient way to keep cats safe, due to the risk of the collar falling off or becoming damaged. Furthermore, if it is not quick release, it can become caught on obstacles such as tree branches and injure the cat.

Madison Rogers, head of advocacy, campaigns and government relations for Cats Protection, said: “In contrast, a microchip is safe, stays with your cat for its lifetime and is linked to contact details that are stored safely in a database.

“Provided that owners keep the contact details up to date, then a microchip provides the very best chance of being reunited with a lost pet.”

Image © Cats Protection

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.