Letter to the Editor

Hi 
We contact you regarding our campaign. Later this year, England will be bringing in new legislation for cats to be microchipped. We are thrilled at this because it is part of responsible pet ownership and helps cat and owner be reunited should they ever become lost. Many cats will end up in rehoming centres and bee rehomed when they already have a family and home, which we don’t believe is a position cat owners want to find themselves in simply because they failed to microchip their cat. Many people approach us and admit they didn’t realise how vital chips were until it was too late. Also, as a feline road traffic accident organisation, we are very aware that vets are only obliged to administer pain relief should a cat find themselves at a practice due to injury, usually a road accident. Should the cat not be found to have a microchip, and no owner is successfully located, the cats fate becomes unclear. We have known cats to sadly be euthanized with simple cuts and bruises simply because no owner could be traced to authorise further treatment. 

Cats Protection say that more than a fifth of cats are not microchipped in Wales, regardless of relentless campaigning. The upcoming England law will not apply to Wales as it is a devolved matter. This is why we are campaigning to have Wales consider this also: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245024?fbclid=IwAR0gwYY1uGtCL1Ptl7RYXc0u4ct2cNBLytfgLmTlw9ByUMCybHChFzCwC_o We really hope to replicate the success seen in England as Welsh cats matter too, as do their owners, and we are confident that the vast majority in Wales support such a measure. For far too long cats have been left behind their canine counterparts in the eyes of the law, and we believe Wales bringing this in will mark the start of cats being seen as the important, much loved companions that they are. 

If you could help us get the word out, we would be extremely grateful. 
Best wishes
Carlie