Current guidance for keepers and implanters

Cat Microchipping Law in England

Since 10 June 2024, pet cats in England must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database by the time they are 20 weeks old. Keepers must keep their contact details up to date. The rule includes indoor cats.

What cat keepers must do

• Arrange microchipping and database registration before the cat is more than 20 weeks old.
• Use a database that meets government standards.
• Keep the registered name, address and contact details accurate.
• Update the database when keepership changes. Either keeper can record the change, but the new keeper remains responsible if the previous keeper has not done it.
• For a cat imported into England, ensure it meets the registration rules within 30 days of entry.

Exceptions

A vet can certify that a cat should not be microchipped for a stated period when implantation would affect its health. The compulsory rule also does not apply to free-living cats with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as genuinely feral or community cats.

Enforcement and the £500 fine

An authorised person can issue a notice requiring a non-compliant cat to be microchipped within 21 days. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement and a fine of up to £500. Do not wait for a notice: arrange microchipping promptly if your cat is over 20 weeks old and not exempt.

What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Compulsory microchipping of ordinary pet cats currently applies in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, owners can choose to microchip a cat, although separate rules can apply for travel or other regulated circumstances. See our UK microchipping law guide for the country-by-country position.

Who can implant a cat microchip?

The England regulations allow vets, appropriately directed veterinary staff and people who meet the specified cat-implantation training route to implant a cat. Dog-only training does not automatically establish the cat-specific qualification described by the regulations. Qualified implanters can ask ChipHERO about cat microchipping training.

Register or update a cat

If the microchip is registered with ChipHERO, sign in to review the record and update your contact details. If you have just brought your cat home, use the registration checker to begin. You can also check which database holds a microchip.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Get your dog or cat microchipped
• Defra: Cat microchipping now mandatory
• The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023