Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th June 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Charity calls for Welsh cat microchipping law
Microchipping cats will become mandatory in England next year.
Cats Protection has launched a new email campaign.

Animal welfare charity Cats Protection is urging members of the public in Wales to email their MSs in support of compulsory microchipping for cats.

Although microchipping can help reunite owners with missing cats, last year’s Cats and Their Stats (CATS) report by Cats Protection revealed that 28 per cent of cats in Wales are not microchipped.

In England, it will be mandatory for pet cats to be microchipped from 10 June 2024, although the new law will not apply to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is already a legal requirement across the UK for dogs to be microchipped.

Since the UK Government announced the rule change for England, the Welsh government has been under pressure to act, with RSPCA Cymru also calling on members of the Senedd to pass similar legislation.

The Welsh government is considering extending compulsory microchipping to cats as part of its Animal Welfare Plan, but no commitment to changing the law has been made.

Cats Protection’s advocacy and government relations officer for Wales Daryl Gordon said: “Microchipping is already compulsory for dogs throughout the whole of the UK, and from next year it will also be compulsory for cats in England. This is clearly a very important pet welfare issue, yet there are still no plans for this to be introduced for cats in Wales.

“As a nation of pet lovers, we don’t want to see Wales left behind when it comes to cat welfare. We’re urging the Welsh Government to get behind this issue so that cats in Wales receive the same protection that will soon be given to cats over in England.

“Compulsory microchipping of pet cats would ensure more cats can be reunited with their owners if they are lost or missing. It also helps to identify cats which have sadly died in road accidents and helps to reduce the pressure on animal charities which may find it impossible to trace the owner of an un-microchipped stray or lost cat, despite their best efforts.”

Cats Protection have made an email template available online for anyone wishing to write to their MSs in support of mandatory cat microchipping.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.