North Yorkshire rescue urge people to microchip their cat
Owners could be landed with a fine of up to £500 from today
Animal rescue centres in North Yorkshire are urging people to get their cat microchipped - or warn they face a £500 fine.
The new law came in earlier this year and from today penalties will be handed out if owners haven't got it done.
A microchipping event is being held at the Blue Cross Animal Centre in Thirsk. Robin Hale is the vet coordinator there: "It's very easy, it's basically a case of giving them a little cuddle and fuss to take their mind off things. It goes into the back of their neck between the shoulder blades and it's just as simple as when your cat would be vaccinated."
Dannielle Sherriffs is the manager and says they currently have a cat in but they can't find the owner: "We were able to capture this lovely little grey cat, who is incredibly friendly so it's obvious he is somebody's pet and he is still here with us but we can't find the owner because he is not microchipped."
Despite the new laws a survey suggests around one in five cat owners in England have no plans to get their pet microchipped.
New rules in England mean cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
A Censuswide survey of cat owners in May for Direct Line Pet Insurance found 21% of those based in England did not plan to get their pet microchipped, and 16% were unaware of the new rules.
More than half (58%) of cat owners in England who were surveyed did not know the maximum fine if their pet was not microchipped.
The research showed the typical cost to have a cat microchipped is around £28.
Madeline Pike, veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: "Microchipping is a very quick and relatively painless process, no more painful than having an injection or blood test. It's also one of the most effective and efficient methods of finding lost pets.
"The compulsory microchipping of cats will provide families with much-needed comfort and peace of mind that if their cat gets lost or strays, they can more easily be reunited with their much-loved feline friends."