Over a third of owners struggle to afford microchipping, RSPCA finds
Owners can be fined up to £500 for failing to chip their cat. The average cost of a microchip is between £15 and £30
Over a third of cat owners struggle with the cost of microchipping their pets, according to data from the RSPCA.
Alongside this, one in 10 (11%) people are still unaware that cats in England must be microchipped under a new law.
Having an indoor cat they didn’t believe needed to be chipped (21%) and a lack of vets or struggling to get a vet appointment (17%) were other reasons given for not getting cats chipped.
Owners can be fined up to £500 for failing to chip their cat. The average cost of a microchip is between £15 and £30.
Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “We all want the best for our cats so it’s really important that owners ensure their cats are microchipped. We understand that the cost of microchipping can sometimes be a barrier especially during the cost of living crisis but we’d urge owners to reach out and see what help is available to them.”
“Microchipping is the best way to make sure that should they become lost, stolen, or injured, your cat can more easily be reunited with you. Indoor cats still need to be microchipped by law – and although they are not free roaming like outdoor cats, indoor cats can, unfortunately, become lost if they do get out of their house as they are often unable to find their way back, so it’s just as important that they are chipped too.”
She added: “As we strive to create a better world for every kind – we’d urge owners who haven’t got their cat microchipped yet to contact their vet to book an appointment or they could face a hefty fine of up to £500 – that means it is around £480 cheaper to chip your cat! Owners will also be required to keep their contact details up-to-date on a pet microchipping database, which is a great way to ensure your feline stays safe.”
