On the 10 June it became compulsory by law for all cat owners to have their cat microchipped in England. The new legislation was implemented in the hope that it will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners should they become separated.

At Mayhew we are regularly reminded of just how important this is. Just recently, we received a call for help from a member of the public who had found an elderly cat that they were concerned about.

Being in danger and with nowhere else to go, Phoebe was brought into our care where she could seek shelter and safety. When an animal first arrives, one of the first things we do is check for a microchip. Fortunately, Phoebe did have a microchip and we were able to contact her family with the details it provided. Her family were instantly relieved to know that Phoebe was safe.

At 20-years-old, they were understandably concerned when she went missing. Cats can be vulnerable on their own and outside of familiar surroundings, especially when they are elderly.

After a short stay in our care, Phoebe was able to be reunited with her beloved family and it was a happy ending for all. Sadly, not all stories end this well, and we still admit many stray cats who have no microchip, which can cause unnecessary distress for the cat and family as we have no way of reuniting them.

Once safely back at home, Phoebe’s family shared this message with us: “We had feared the worst when Phoebe went missing, as she’s already 20-years-old. We are so grateful to the person who found her and to the Mayhew staff who cared for her until we were given the good news and were reunited. Thank goodness she was microchipped!”

Microchipping is an essential part of responsible pet ownership and as a charity we fully support the new legislation and hope that it will result in more cats and their owners being reunited.

If you have any concerns with having your pet microchipped, we strongly recommend that you seek advice from your local veterinary clinic. You can find out more about microchipping here.