Cat microchip law not having impact, charity says
Twenty-year-old Phoebe's microchip helped reunite her with her family.
A London-based animal welfare charity has warned that last year’s cat microchipping law may not be having an impact.
Mayhew, which is based in the north-west of London, says that eight in ten of the cats entering its care are not microchipped.
On 10 June 2024, it became a legal requirement for all cats in the UK to be microchipped. Cat owners who do not microchip their cat could face a fine of £500.
Several animal welfare charities had campaigned for the law, including Mayhew, in the hope that it would make it easier to reunite lost pets with their family.
However the charity says that it is still seeing high numbers of cats without microchips implanted. Between July 2024 and March 2025, 80 per cent of Mayhew’s feline intake did not have a microchip.
Ms Guiney said: “Cats come to Mayhew for all sorts of reasons, but often they come from loving homes who can simply no longer afford them or care for them. These are not irresponsible owners – so why are these cats not microchipped?”
Mayhew believes that owners surrendering their cats could be unaware of the cat microchipping law or unable to afford the cost of microchipping
The charity is now urging cat owners to microchip their cats and kittens to comply with the law and avoid a £500 fine. Microchipping is also vital to support the charity with reuniting lost pets with their owners.
This was particularly helpful when twenty-year-old cat Phoebe was brought to the charity. The team immediately scanned her for a microchip, and were able to contact her family using the microchip details.
Phoebe was soon reunited with her family, which had been deeply concerned since she had gone missing.
Phoebe’s family said: “We are so grateful to the person who found her and to the Mayhew staff who cared for her until we were given the good news and were reunited. Thank goodness she was microchipped!
“Phoebe recently turned 21 and is still with us, thanks to the Mayhew and her unknown rescuer.”
For owners unable to afford microchipping fees, Mayhew also offers free microchipping at its community veterinary practice for eligible pet owners in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.
Image © Mayhew
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
