Compulsory Microchipping from 10th June 2024
From the 10th June 2024 all cats over the age of 16 weeks, will need to be microchipped. This can be carried out during one of our nurse consults or at the time of neutering, (where early neutering is requested at 16 weeks). This brings all cats in England in line with the microchipping of dogs (chipping needs to be carried out by 8 weeks old).
With over 9 million pet cats in England and as many as an estimated 2.3 million unchipped, reuniting cats with their owner if they get lost or stolen becomes impossible and creates a very real welfare issue. If necessary this will be enforced - if cats are found without a microchip, owners will have 21 days to get them chipped or face a fine of £500.
If your cat is already microchipped then great! Just make sure your details are up-to-date. Every year cats are brought into us and found to have incorrect registered contact details. We are unable to contact these owners. Please don't let this be you and your cat. Current contact details on your cat's microchip database is vital to reunite you and your cat - please keep them up-to-date.
We use Tracer microchips which are registered through the microchip data base Petlog (click here). If your cat has been chipped elsewhere then a different database may have been used. We will use the contact and pet's details, on your pet's clinical notes at the time of microchipping/registration. We can only register the microchips we place and can not alter any details, e.g. if you change your contact details at a later date.
Unsure if your cat has a microchip? We are more than happy to scan your cat for a microchip, please contact us to book an appointment - there is no charge for scanning your cat.
Our microchipping events!
Our £10 microchip offer runs through January and February. Please ring to book a nurse appointment - microchipping can be carried out during a routine nurse consultation. Or, at the time of neutering if your cat is being neutered at 16 weeks.
We have two set events - please book on one of these days if you can:
MVP Braintree
Wednesday 17th January 2024
10 am - 2 pm
MVP Coggeshall
Thursday 18th January 2024
1 - 4 pm
Cats Protection Neutering Scheme
Our practice also participates in the Cats Protection Neutering Scheme. This is a means tested scheme, eligibility must meet one of the following before applying for a £10 neutering and microchip voucher:
- receipt of any of the following means-tested benefits: universal credit, income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, pension credit, income-based ESA, income-based JSA, working tax credits and child tax credits
- have a household annual income of less than £25,000 before tax
- are a full-time student living away from home
Please contact us direct for further information and voucher purchase
This £10 fee includes the cost of a routine cat spay or cat castration; 3 days of post-operative pain relief; a buster collar and 1-2 post-operative appointments with a member of our nursing team, depending on need. This fee also includes a microchip if needed.
This £10 fee includes the cost of a routine cat spay or cat castration; 3 days of post-operative pain relief; a buster collar and 1-2 post-operative appointments with a member of our nursing team, depending on need. This fee also includes a microchip if needed.