Do cats have to be microchipped? UK cat microchipping law

• Your cat must be microchipped by the time they're 20 weeks old.
• The microchip must be registered on a government-approved database.
• You must keep your details up to date, for example when you move house or change your phone number.
• It includes cats that usually stay indoors.

If you're found not to have microchipped your cat, usually by your council, you'll be given 21 days to do it. If you still don't, you can be fined up to £500.

Cats without an owner, such as feral and community cats, don't need to be microchipped. A vet can also certify that a cat can't be microchipped for a period, for reasons to do with its health.

Microchipping cats is optional in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Animal charities still recommend it, because it's the most reliable way to identify a lost cat.

Usually between £20 and £30 at a vet. Some animal charities offer free or low-cost microchipping, so it's worth asking locally.

A microchip can only be read with a scanner, so whoever finds your cat has to catch them and take them to a vet or rescue centre first. It also doesn't show anyone at a glance that your cat has a home. That's where a collar and tag can help.

Cats don't have to wear a collar. If yours does, choose a quick-release collar that opens if it gets caught, and fit it so two fingers slide underneath.

A lightweight QR tag on the collar means a neighbour can scan it and reach you straight away, without taking your cat to a vet. Because a quick-release collar can come off, the microchip is still essential.