A Hexham veterinary practice is urging owners to have their cats microchipped so that they can avoid the heartbreak of losing their pet forever – and landing themselves with a hefty fine.

The new Microchipping of Cats and Dogs Regulations 2023 are in place, introducing compulsory cat microchipping in England.

Under the new legislation, all keepers of owned cats must ensure that their pet is microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks and that their contact details are stored and kept up to date on a pet microchip database.

Owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted or they may face a fine of up to £500.

All owned cats over the age of 20 weeks will need to be microchipped by the deadline of June 10, 2024.

The simple procedure involves inserting a small chip with a unique serial number under a cat’s skin.

This number can be read by a scanner and checked against a microchip database to help reunite lost, injured or stolen pets quicker with their registered keeper.

Hadrian Vets in Dene Avenue, Hexham, has welcomed the move.

Vet Paulina Cudzilo said: “Cats are much-loved parts of our families and making sure that they’re microchipped is the best possible way to reunite them with their owners if they are ever lost, injured or stolen.

“Losing a cat can be so distressing but, if they are chipped, then there is a better chance their owners can be traced, as long as they keep contact details up to date on the database. Microchips are safe, easy to implant and effective. Unlike collars and ID tags, they don’t come off and they don’t put your cat at risk of injury.

“The easiest time to do this is when cats are booked in for neutering at 20 weeks so we would encourage owners to discuss both options with their vet.”

The compulsory microchipping of dogs over eight weeks old came into force in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2016.