North Wales MS backs calls for compulsory microchipping for cats in Wales

A North Wales politician has backed calls to introduce compulsory microchipping for cats in Wales.

Welsh Conservative MS Mark Isherwood recently joined fellow politicians at a Senedd reception to discuss how compulsory microchipping of pet cats would significantly improve feline welfare.

Cats Protection hosted the event as part of its campaign for the Welsh Government to introduce the measure, which is due to become law in England later this year.

The reception on 6 February was a chance for politicians to find out more about compulsory microchipping and lend their support to the campaign.

Figures from Cats Protection’s Cats and Their Stats report 2023 shows that a quarter of cats in Wales – around 180,000 – are currently not microchipped.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network of 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.

Daryl Gordon, Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Wales, said it was important that Wales doesn’t “lag behind in this important feline welfare issue.”

Daryl Gordon said: “It has been a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped in the UK since 2016 and from June this year, it will apply to cats too, but only in England.

“We don’t want to see Wales lag behind in this important feline welfare issue, so we’re urging the Welsh Government to act now to introduce the measure.

“Microchipping is a vital part of responsible cat ownership, ensuring cats can quickly be returned home if they’re lost and making it easier for rescue charities to help stray cats.

“We were thrilled to welcome so many MSs to our event, and it’s great to see politicians taking an interest in feline welfare.

“We’ll continue to work with politicians to push this measure forward.”

Mr Isherwood agreed that microchipping is the “most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets.”

He added: “It was good to attend the Cats Protection microchipping drop-in event to find out more about Cats Protection’s campaign to make microchipping of owned cats compulsory in Wales.

“Microchipping would make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

“It is the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets.”