Under the new rules, cats in England must be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they are 20 weeks old. Owners found without a chip have 21 days to get one implanted, after which they may face a fine of up to £500.
The warning comes as the RSPCA reports a significant rise in cats needing care. For the first time in the charity's history, the number of cats in its care has overtaken dogs, with 551 cats taken in during June alone. The charity is warning that it is rapidly running out of space and is desperate for people to adopt.
Why rescue centres are overwhelmed
BBC Breakfast's correspondent Nick Dixon explained the pressures: "It's down to a couple of different reasons. Summertime there are generally far fewer adoptions for cats taking place generally. But on top of that, summer is peak breeding season. So the rescue centres around the country really are overwhelmed with cats and kittens."
He added: "More cats than dogs in the care of the RSPCA for the first time in the charity's history. More than 550 cats taken in during June of this year. Cat related incidents reported to the charity up 49% this year and reports of stray cats and kittens up 190%."
The RSPCA has also said that black and white cats are especially hard to rehome.
What the new law says
Cats Matter, a pet welfare group that campaigned for the change, explained the new process. A spokesperson said: "Owners found without their cat microchipped will have just 21 days to have one implanted. After the 21 days, owners may then face a fine of up to £500. We have done the hard part by getting the law changed. Now it is down to cat owners to make sure this is the success we know it can and will be."
The spokesperson also described the procedure: "The process of microchipping involves the quick, simply and painless insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When a cat is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them."
Why microchipping cats matters
Cats Matter supports microchipping as a way to keep cats out of the rescue system: "When a cat is not microchipped, they can be picked up as a stray and end up clogging the rescue system, which is already on it's knees due to the current cost of living crisis, some shelters with waiting lists full of cats to enter care into the hundreds."
"Microchipping ensures that people are notified should an accident happen, and we are fully aware how important it is for people to be notified of incidents concerning their cats, and how vital it is to have that closure should the worst happen. Even cats that are house cats or have catios and enclosed gardens can still escape through windows, doors, or of course carriers on the way to the vets."
Concerns over scanning
The group has urged the Government to ensure microchips are properly scanned so lost cats can be reunited with their families. They said: "We are so pleased the Government have brought in this law after years of campaigning, but we remain concerned about the scanning system that compliments it. We have remained clear to DEFRA that, for microchipping to work in practice, chips must be scanned. We continue to push the Government on introducing effective scanning measures so as many cats as possible can go home to their families where they belong."
Cats Matter urged all owners who have not yet microchipped their cat to book an appointment with a trained professional: "It's vital people book through a trained and registered implanter to prevent injury or potential complications to their beloved cat."
Government guidance
The Government confirmed the rules, stating: "Cats in England will need to be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they're 20 weeks old. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be."
It added: "Your pet's microchip must be fitted by a trained professional. You can ask your vet, local council or local rescue and rehoming centre if they can microchip your dog or cat. They might charge a fee."
