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Closed Make it a legal requirement to microchip pet cats

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It is currently a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped but not cats.
It should be a legal requirement for cats to be chipped too, this would help to prevent pet cats being stolen and help reunite lost pets to their owners.

Cats are more likely to be hit by a car and it is also not required for people to report when this happens. If all pet cats were microchipped, it would, a) help rescues to identify whether a cat is owned; and, b) help rescues to have legal rights to rescue and rehome unchipped cats

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  • Related activity

    Government announces plans for new animal welfare laws

    As part of the Queen's Speech on Tuesday 11th May, the Government announced that it plans to introduce new laws to protect and promote the highest standards of animal welfare in the UK.

    The Government's proposals are set out in a new Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which was published this week. Its proposals focus on improving the welfare of pets and farmed animals, and protecting wild animals in the UK and animals exported or found outside the UK.

    The Government intends to introduce three new Bills into Parliament to make these changes - the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, the Kept Animals Bill, and the Animals Abroad Bill. These Bills will be published in due course.

    Read more about the Government's plans here:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-lead-the-way-on-animal-welfare-through-flagship-new-action-plan

    Read the Queen's Speech background briefing notes for more information on the Government's proposed Bills:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/queens-speech-2021-background-briefing-notes

    What is the Queen's Speech?

    The Queen's Speech is the speech that the Queen reads out in the House of Lords Chamber on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament.

    It's written by the Government and sets out the programme of Bills - new laws, and changes to existing laws - that the Government intends to put forward in this new Parliamentary session. A session of Parliament usually lasts around one year.

    Once the Government puts forward a Bill in Parliament, Parliament then debates the Government's proposal and decides whether to adopt the changes to the law set out in the Bill.

  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Government consultation on Cat and Dog Microchipping and Scanning in England - corrected link

    Yesterday we sent a message about Defra's consultation on Cat and Dog Microchipping and Scanning in England. Some petitioners have reported a problem in accessing the consultation through the link. We're very sorry about this. Please use this link if you'd like to share your views and haven't been able to access it: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/companion-animals-team/cat-and-dog-microchipping-and-scanning-in-england/

    The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched this consultation on Cat and Dog Microchipping and Scanning in England to find out what you think about plans to introduce compulsory cat microchipping in England and how you think this should be implemented. 

    They also want to know whether you think vets and other bodies should be required to scan cats and dogs for microchips in certain situations. For example, prior to euthanasia.

    The consultation closes at 5.00pm on 17 February 2021.

  • Related activity

    Share your views on Cat and Dog Microchipping and Scanning in England 

    The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on Cat and Dog Microchipping and Scanning in England.  They want to know what you think about plans to introduce compulsory cat microchipping in England and how you think this should be implemented. 

    They also want to know whether you think vets and other bodies should be required to scan cats and dogs for microchips in certain situations. For example, prior to euthanasia. 

    You can find out more about the consultation and contribute here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/companion-animals-team/cat-and-dog-microchipping-and-scanning-in-england/

    The consultation closes at 5.00pm on 17 February 2021. 

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 7 March 2021.