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Cats Protection welcomes calls for Scottish microchip law
Cats Protection describes the law as a 'game-changer' for cat welfare in Scotland.
The SAWC recommends compulsory microchipping for cats in Scotland.

Cats Protection has welcomed a report that supports compulsory microchipping and the registration of owned cats in Scotland.

The report, published by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC), suggests that legislation and public education could improve cat welfare in the country.

Microchipping for dogs and equines has been a legal requirement in Scotland since 2016 and 2022 respectively. Due to a lack of a consistent database for microchipped cats, the government has yet to make microchipping a requirement for cat ownership.

In June 2024, legislation in England made it a requirement for all pet cats over the age of 20 weeks to be microchipped. Since this is a devolved matter, the legislation was not progressed to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Cats Protection, alongside other animal welfare organisations, has continued to advocate for compulsory microchipping to become a legal requirement across the UK.

The SAWC says that its evidence-based report was based on concerns about cat breeding, population management and responsible cat ownership.

The report concluded that compulsory microchipping would have direct benefits if a domestic cat becomes lost, stolen or is found injured. It also suggested that a thorough database would have secondary benefits for shelters and improve understanding of the impact of unneutered pet cats on population numbers.

Cats Protection has welcomed the report’s findings and has urged Scottish ministers to prioritise new legislation. It says that, with Scottish microchipping rates the UK’s second lowest at 72 per cent, mandatory microchipping would reduce the burden of its teams at animal shelters.

Alice Palombo, advocacy officer at Cats Protection, said: “The combination of compulsory microchipping and a centralised registration system will be a game-changer for cat welfare in Scotland. A public education initiative will be crucial in raising awareness among cat owners and the wider public about the importance of responsible pet ownership.

“We hope Scottish ministers do take action by implementing these proposals as soon as possible, which we believe are essential for improving cat welfare.”

Image © Shutterstock

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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."