06/06/2024
We have been carefully watching the new updates set to come into effect this week regarding the compulsory microchipping of cats, with interest.
It was us, who, with much concern contacted defra to ask what has been put in place for cats who are handed in as strays, be they missing, stolen, lost or feral, with regards to the holding time period that is in place for dogs for owners to find them if they are not chipped.
With dogs it is 7 days. After that they can be rehomed or euthanised and the owner loses all ownership rights.
We expected to be told that this had been carefully considered and that it was going to be the same as it is for dogs….
However it has been confirmed that whilst defra are expecting major rehoming organisations to give the standard 7 day claiming period to cats that they give to dogs, this is NOT going to be a requirement.
There are no requirements in place for holding times for cats.
We are thankful that Vet Times has picked up on our concerns and raised awareness in the article below.
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/act-now-before-cat-microchip-rules-change-vet-leaders-urge-owners/?utm_source=Vet+Times+Daily%2C+Weekly+%26+VN+E-News&utm_campaign=c4ab7016c4-WEEKLY_VT_NEWSLETTER&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_59c17dfd3a-c4ab7016c4-85515553
This just shows us yet again that pet owners are not aware that there are practices that should be in place which aren’t, which could very easily let them and their beloved pets down in the worst way possible.
Make sure your cats are chipped and please make sure your contact details and phone numbers on their chips are up to date and in full working order and we suggest logging your cats chip numbers with your vet practices.
This could save their life.
Please get in touch if you’d like us to put you in touch with the chip companies we work with who support .
We will of course continue talking to defra about this as it appears that at a government level no consideration has been given to the fact that there will be cats whose data is not registered or out of date and whilst dogs are given a grace period for owners to be found.. cats are not.
Thank you all.
Sue & Dawn
