Cat microchipping should be compulsory, say animal charities

A coalition of animal charities is urging the government to make microchipping for cats compulsory to relieve pressure on rescue organisations.

Led by Cats Protection and including Blue Cross, the British Veterinary Association, Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home, and the SSPCA, they have penned a letter to Jim Fairlie, minister for agriculture, marine and islands.

Currently, around 69% of cats are microchipped, which is lower than in England where microchipping is compulsory on par with dogs.

Microchipping significantly increases the chance of a lost cat being reunited with its owner, the charities say.

In a recent case, Cats Protection took in a pregnant Ragdoll Mattel stray who was clearly a beloved pet, however, despite best efforts the previous owner was never found and she was eventually rehomed.

Alice Palombo, advocacy and government relations manager for Cats Protection said: “Around 260,000 cats in Scotland remain un-microchipped.

“Every year, animal welfare organisations take in friendly stray cats that are clearly someone’s pet, but without a microchip identifying their owner can be extremely difficult.

“This places avoidable pressure on rehoming services, occupies valuable pen space that could be used for cats in genuine need, and can ultimately result in cats being rehomed unnecessarily while their owners are left never knowing what happened to them.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recommend that all cat owners should consider microchipping their pets, and ensuring the information held on them is kept up to date, as it is the best way of being reunited should they become lost or separated.”