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Cat microchipping becomes compulsory in England
Last year 115,000 pet cats in England went missing, and were not returned home.
Up to 2.2 million cats are still not microchipped.

A new law has come into effect in England, which makes it compulsory for all pet cats over the age of 20 weeks to be microchipped.

However, despite owners facing a fine of £500, Cats Protection estimates that up to 2.2 million cats are yet to meet the new requirements.

Cats Protection has stressed the importance of microchipping all pet cats. It says that an up-to-date microchip can make it easier for feline charities, veterinary practices and local councils to reunite lost cats with owners.

Last year 115,000 pet cats in England went missing, and did not get returned home.

The animal welfare charity’s Cats And Their Stats report for 2024 revealed that there were 1.9 million cats in England which were not microchipped. There were also approximately 300,000 cats where owners were unsure if they were microchipped.

One in four of the pet owners who had not had their cat microchipped felt they did not need to as their cat did not go outdoors, whereas one in five said their cat did not travel far when they left the house.

Around one in seven cat owners believed that their cat would be identifiable from its collar. Another one in seven said they had never thought to microchip their cat.

Cats Protection has responded to these misconceptions, stating that a microchip is the safest way to secure a cat is returned home if it becomes lost.

The welfare charity says that indoor cats are also at risk of getting lost, due to their agile nature. If a window or door is left open, they can easily escape onto the streets.

A cat collar is also not considered an efficient way to keep cats safe, due to the risk of the collar falling off or becoming damaged. Furthermore, if it is not quick release, it can become caught on obstacles such as tree branches and injure the cat.

Madison Rogers, head of advocacy, campaigns and government relations for Cats Protection, said: “In contrast, a microchip is safe, stays with your cat for its lifetime and is linked to contact details that are stored safely in a database.

“Provided that owners keep the contact details up to date, then a microchip provides the very best chance of being reunited with a lost pet.”

Image © Cats Protection

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."