Do I have to get my cat microchipped?
It is recommended. A microchip is a harmless radio chip about the size of a grain of rice. It is injected under the skin of your cat in the same way as a routine vaccination.
Each chip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a harmless scanner. The number is linked to a national database that contains the owners contact details. There are many reasons why microchipping your pet is a good idea, please read below.
Cats going astray
Hundreds of thousands of stray cats are taken in by rescue centres throughout the country each year. Sadly, over half of these aren’t returned their owners, as they have no identification and after only seven days, these strays can be offered to new homes.
Your cat in an emergency situation
At Cromwell Vets we have found that microchips have been invaluable in reuniting pets with their owners. Most commonly we have cats brought in as an emergency and they aren’t wearing a collar. In these circumstances, it is important to find their owner as fast as possible, and this reunion is made possible with a quick scan to obtain the pet’s unique number allowing us to contact their owners.
If you have any questions about microchips, ask our friendly staff or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.
