https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cat-microchipping-to-be-made-mandatory    please to see that cats are now to be chipped .

How many cat owners, other than the more responsible ones, are going to get this done I wonder.  Me being cynical again.

Not many but its something and it may help reunite some

Its good to see that cats will have to be microchipped but I do feel that the recording of microchips needs to be sorted and a central register made. In recent weeks several dogs and cats have been reported as found on a local facebook page where they have been taken to a vets and the microchip number not recognised. This is the number not recognised not owner unknown due to change of ownership. Presumably this means the check by the vet has been for one data base when the animal has been registered on another.

Agree the prinical of this for dogs and now cats is good but a central data base would be more than helpful.

>Presumably this means the check by the vet has been for one data base when the animal has been registered on another.

Not so; when we ring a database they tell us if it's one registered with them or, going by the number, which database (giving contact details) it should be registered to. They can even tell us if it's a foreign chip. If it's not registered at all then the implanter is at fault for not doing their job properly.

Was about to say the same JG, I worked in a vets a few years back and the number usually dictates the database ita on but there is a number to call and they will advise which registration system it's on. If the chip isn't registered then like you say that's a fault of the chip implanter. Also I highly recommend people check that their details are correct on their chipped animals should they ever go awol.

and that the chip hasnt migrated

> and that the chip hasn't migrated

and in fact that the chip is still working. I know two silkens whose chips have failed, that's 2 of a fairly rare breed which makes me think there must be thousands of chips that have failed, if not more. The chips that failed were different manufacturers/implanters - one in the UK, one in the NL.

Maybe it would be useful if vets check chips each time an animal attend for a consult

One of the vets I see have always checked for the chip on every visit to make sure there is a chip there and working.

I have had a vet who did but I must remember to get mine to regularly check

> One of the vets I see have always checked for the chip on every visit to make sure there is a chip there and working.

I have always had to ask!!!

As long as the implanter registers the keepers details at the time of implanting & when people scan for a chip they do a 100% body scan, I have a dog whose first chip failed & the first chip is still in place & the second chip has migrated slightly.

Then of course in Australia, there was the case on Bondi Vet program were the chip had been incorrectly chipped & the chip caused neuro damage & had to be removed surgically. The CT scan clearly showed the chip impacting on the spinal cord & the chip had been implanted by a vet!!

Great news in my opinion! It should be done long time go already.

All my cats have always been chipped - with the exception of the ancient one.  She's 21 and only ever goes in the garden for the necessary.  She can hardly jump up on the sofa now so has no hope of getting out of the garden.  She was old when we rescued her - never dreamt she's still be with us now.

What about gps trackers. Are you as a cat owner use them too?

I suspect this is spam, but if you're serious I wouldn't put a tracker on your cat. Cats are always squeezing through tiny gaps, I really wouldn't put any collar on them.