Norfolk cat owners face new microchipping laws from today
In 2023, 77% of stray cats that arrived at the Cats Protection site in Dereham were not microchipped
Cats in Norfolk must be microchipped from today as a new law comes into force.
The new rules mean that cats must be microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks with only unowned cats, like feral and community cats, being exempt.
Their contact details must also be stored and kept up to date in a Government approved pet microchipping database.
In 2023, 77% of stray cats that arrived at the Cats Protection site in Dereham were not microchipped.
That jumps to 87% at the site in Downham Market.
Annabel Birdy from Cats Protection said:
"If those cats had been microchipped when they came into our care or into a vet, someone would have been able to scan them and reunite them with their owner by calling the owner and telling them they had their cat. Instead it's often very very difficult if not impossible to reunite that cat."
"The microchip is around the size of a grain of rice, it sits just under the cats skin, causes absolutely no pain or discomfort, and quick to do and minimal cost usually around £10-£30."
If owners have missed the 10th June deadline, there is a 21 day grace period to make sure pets are microchipped, or they risk a fine of up to £500.
Currently the law only applies in England.
Cats Protection are continuing to campaign for the laws in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.