Well, well, well. Big news from the world of humans! As of June 2024, all pet cats in England must be microchipped. Yes, that means even you, Tiddles. The humans have made it official: no chip, no nap. (Okay, that part isn’t true, but there is a fine of up to £500 if your human doesn’t sort it out.)
As a proud indoor-outdoor explorer with a tendency to take the scenic route home, I have to admit—this whole microchip thing isn’t so bad. It’s a teeny tiny chip (smaller than a Temptations treat!) that sits just under our skin, and it tells everyone exactly who we belong to. If I ever get lost chasing a butterfly or fall asleep in a stranger’s shed (again), a quick scan brings me back to my favorite cushion.
They say about 2.3 million cats weren’t chipped before the law came in. That’s a lot of untraceable toe beans. But now, all cats over 20 weeks old must have their chip and be registered in a proper database. No chip? No fishy snacks. (Okay, that’s also not true, but c’mon—don’t take chances.)
Even the nice folks at Cats Protection are purring about it. “This is a huge step forward,” they said. “Microchipping is the best way to bring lost cats home.” And trust me—I like home. That’s where the warm laundry pile is.
So, fellow felines, give your human the stare of urgency. The one you use when your bowl is 90% empty. Tell them to book that vet visit if they haven’t already. One tiny chip = one big safety net.
And remember: being microchipped doesn’t mean they can track how many naps we take. (Yet.)
Paw-five!