Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the draft Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, what consideration they have given to the possibility of that legislation causing further welfare problems through the abandonment of cats caused by people being either (1) unwilling, or (2) unable, (a) to microchip, or (b) to pay fines.

The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping in England is intended to increase the likelihood that lost or stolen pet cats can be reunited with their keeper, benefitting cat welfare.

The cost of microchipping is around £25. Cat keepers will have until 10 June 2024 to comply with the requirements before they come into force.

If a keeper is served with a notice, they will have 21 days to microchip their cat and register their details with a compliant database to avoid any fines.