Cat owners are being given their final warning as the new microchipping law comes into place next week, which could see owners facing a £500 fine if they don’t comply.
Pooch & Mutt’s Resident Vet Dr. Linda Simon offers some advice and clarity to cat owners on what microchipping is, where to go to get it done, how much it will cost and if it will hurt/if there are any risks:
What is Microchipping?
‘Microchipping means inserting a small chip under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It’s about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a unique number, and when we scan it, the number shows up on our microchip reader. This number can be looked up in a database, so the cat’s owner can be found.
Many owners think a microchip allows for their cat to be tracked and located but this isn’t the case’.
Where can I get my cat microchipped and how much will it cost?
‘You should have your cat chipped in a vet clinic and it’s very affordable, usually about £15-25’.
Will it hurt my cat and does microchipping come with any risks?
‘Many will get it done while neutered, so they won’t feel a thing! If awake, it is uncomfortable and I usually equate it to getting an ear piercing.
There’s a very small risk of infection, but the majority experience no side effects’.
Why would you recommend me getting my cat microchipped?
‘As well as microchipping to avoid getting fined, you should microchip to ensure your cat can be easily returned to you if they ever go missing or get stolen.
Microchipping also means if your cat is injured and brought to a clinic, you can be called and given the green light for the vet to provide treatment right away.
Sadly, many un-chipped cats go missing every year and are never reunited with their original owners due to a lack of microchip’.
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