Cumberland Council is reminding all cat owners and licensed catteries about important changes to the microchipping laws for cats.

Effective Monday 10 June 2024, all cats aged 20 weeks and older must be microchipped and registered in a national database. This new law aims to enhance the safety and traceability of cats, ensuring lost pets can be quickly reunited with their owners.

For cat owners:

  • Ensure your pet is microchipped by Monday 10 June 2024.
  • After this date, it will be mandatory to microchip cats before they reach 20 weeks old.
  • Maintain a note of your cat’s microchip number. If you do not have this information, contact your vet, or arrange for your cat to be scanned.

 

For catteries:

  • Record cat identification when taking bookings.
  • Ask for the microchip number.
  • If the owner cannot provide one, inform them of the new law and preferably keep a written record of this advice.
  • Decide whether to admit cats that are not microchipped.
  • Remember, if an unchipped cat escapes, the owner could face penalties for failing to comply with the new legislation.
  • Consider adding a written declaration to your consent forms to show that you have informed owners about the microchipping requirement.

The council urges all cat owners to microchip their cats promptly. If owners are found to have not microchipped their cat, they will be given 21 days to comply. Failure to do so within this period could result in a fine of up to £500.

Cumberland council would like to thank all responsible cat owners and catteries for complying with the new microchipping law.