Cat microchipping deadline looming: will pet insurance be void if you miss it?

Cat owners have less than two months to get their feline microchipped or face a hefty fine, yet data from comparison site Go Compare shows almost a quarter of owners still haven't done it.

The new regulations will come into force from 10 June 2024. Failing to meet this deadline could also impact your pet insurance cover.

With time ticking, Which? reveals what cat owners need to know about the new law and explains the consequences of not microchipping your pet.

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What are the new microchipping rules for cats?

A microchip placed underneath your cat's skin, usually around the shoulder area, is used as a form of identification should your cat get lost. Until now it's only been compulsory for dog owners, but it will be rolled out to include all cats from 10 June.

The new rules require felines over 20 weeks old to be microchipped by a trained professional, such as a vet or local rescue and rehoming centre. A unique code is stored on the chip and, when scanned, can be matched to the owner's contact details. These are kept on a national database.

Of course, if you move house or change phone number you'll need to tell the database you're registered with so they have your up-to-date contact details. There's usually a small fee for doing so.

According to welfare charity Cats Protection, the price of microchipping can vary, but will usually cost £20-£30. Some charities and cat rescue organisations, however, offer microchipping services at a reduced rate or even for free. Blue Cross, for example, hosted a free microchipping event in March, while the RSPCA offers the service for just £10 per pet.

• Find out more: best cat insurance 2024.

What happens if you don't microchip your cat?

Microchipping is a quick and easy procedure, but Go Compare found that 22% of cats across the UK still don't have one. Owners found not to have microchipped their cat after the new rules are introduced, however, will have 21 days to do it or face a possible fine of up to £500. 

But what impact could failing to microchip your cat have on pet insurance cover?

Rhys Jones, pet insurance expert at Go Compare, says while it’s unlikely that an insurer will automatically void your insurance if you don’t have your cat microchipped, it may affect your ability to make a claim in the event of theft or loss of your pet.

Which? research found owners whose 'theft and straying' policy is invalidated as a result of not microchipping could potentially lose out on thousands of pounds worth of help in locating their missing cat.

Our analysis of 150 cat policies in December 2023 found that all of them offered advertising and reward costs should a feline go astray; around half (49%) covered up to £1,000, while more than a third (38%) offered to pay out more than £1,500. 

Some insurers will also pay back the amount you paid for your pet, or what it's worth at current market value, if your pet isn't found or dies before a certain age. 

To make a claim, you'll need to provide proof of purchase from when you bought your cat and receipts for any advertising costs or rewards offered.  

• Find out more: best pet insurance companies

4 other ways to find a missing cat

The first thing to do if your cat goes Awol is to check the microchip database your pet is registered with. But there are other steps you can take:

1. Search likely hiding places

Cats are notoriously good at squeezing into small spaces and finding unlikely cosy nooks to curl up in. As a result, they can sometimes find themselves trapped or in danger.

So before you send out a search squad, ask neighbours to check their gardens, garages, sheds and cars. 

2. Spread the word

Find clear photos of your cat and stick up posters around the local area – down your street and in nearby parks. Include a clear description, name of the puss, your contact information and details of any reward offered for finding. 

You can also report your cat missing on pet websites such as Animal Search UK, Dogslost, or National Pets Register.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram can help get the word out too, but be very careful about sharing any personal information on these sites. You should also watch out for potential scammers that may call up claiming they’ve found your missing pet.

3. Contact local organisations 

You can contact your council's animal welfare service team. People who have found a stray can also report it to the local authority.

But don't stop there. Ask local vet surgeries and animal or pet charities such as the RSPCA to see if any cats have been found recently. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London also has a hotline that owners can call for help being reunited with their missing animal.

4. Report to police

Some pedigree breeds are expensive and can therefore be a target for thieves. If you believe your cat has been stolen rather than lost, it's important you report it to the police. Under current law, pets are labelled as property, so they are covered by the 1968 Theft Act.

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