A CREDITON vet teamed up with a Devon pet charity to microchip 170 cats to ensure they comply with a new law as well as increasing the chances of them being reunited with their owners if they go missing.

On June 10 it became compulsory for cats in England to be microchipped before they are 20 weeks old and have their contact details stored and kept up-to-date in a pet microchip database.

Owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted or they may face a fine of up to £500.

Vet Lizzy Linney from Jonathan Wood Vets in Crediton volunteered at two microchipping events run by Blue Cross Devon, where owners were given the opportunity to have their cats chipped to make sure they are compliant with the new law and avoid landing themselves with a hefty fine.

Microchipping involves inserting a small chip that contains a unique serial number under a cat’s skin.

This number can be read by a scanner and checked against a microchip database to help reunite lost, injured or stolen pets with their registered keeper. 

Microchips are safe and effective and unlike collars and ID tags, they don’t come off and they don’t put your cat at risk of injury.

The free sessions were held at Blue Cross Devon’s headquarters in Marsh Barton, Exeter.

The first took place in March and was attended by 99 pets and their owners and the second was held this month when a further 71 cats were chipped.

Lizzy, one of Jonathan Wood Vets’ clinical directors, said the new law will make it easier for owners to be reunited with lost or stray pets.

Lizzy said: “We’re delighted with the response to the microchipping events and I’m really pleased that 170 more cats are now chipped and will have a better chance of being reunited with their owners should they go missing.

“Once cats are chipped we want to remind owners that it’s really important their pets are registered on a Government-approved database and that you let them know if you move or you change your contact details, so a vet practice or charity can get in touch with you if your pet is handed in to them.

“If there are owners who are yet to microchip their cat, I would urge them to contact their vet practice as soon as possible. If you plan to get a kitten, the easiest time to have them microchipped is when they are booked in for neutering, so the chip can be inserted while they are anaesthetised.”

The microchipping of dogs is already compulsory and came into force in England in 2016. For a list of Government-approved pet microchip databases, visit: Get your dog or cat microchipped - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .