Plea to Cambridgeshire pet owners to check details and chip animals, as National Microchip Month gets underway

As National Microchipping Month gets underway (1 to 28 June), and with cat microchipping becoming compulsory by law on 10 June, the charity is urging pet owners across Cambridgeshire to take action so they can be reunited with their beloved animals should the worst happen and they go missing. 

Over the past 12 months, Cambridgeshire-based Woodgreen Pets Charity has had 170 stray cats come through its doors in Godmanchester. Of these, 79% had either no microchip or the details were out of date, meaning staff are unable to reunite many of the stray cats they see. And, despite it being a legal requirement since 2016 for all UK dogs to be chipped, more than 40% of the 370 stray dogs at the charity over the past year weren’t chipped or had incorrect details attached. Of the 551 stray cats and dogs taken in by the charity over the last 12 months, only 135 were able to be returned to their owners.  

Dr Fiona Cooke, Head of Specialist Services at Woodgreen, warned people it was just as vital to update microchip details as it was to get pets microchipped. 

She said: “A microchip is the best way to ensure you get your pet back if they go missing. It’s heartbreaking knowing there are so many people searching for missing pets, when in most cases they could be easily reunited had that animal had an up-to-date microchip. Almost all of the pets we reunite with their owners is down to them having a microchip that’s up to date – if not, it’s much trickier to track people down, unless they get in touch with us.  

“We’re seeing more stray pets with microchip details that are out of date, so we can’t stress enough the importance of updating it if you’re moving house, have changed your phone number, or are taking your pet on holiday this summer, for example.” 

Fiona’s top tips for microchipping your pet: 

• There are so many microchip databases out there so it can be tricky knowing which is best. Although it doesn’t matter which you chose, it’s important to ensure it’s a government approved database. 

• If you’re going on holiday this year and leaving your pet with someone, many databases will allow you to add new details for a temporary carer. 

• Getting a cat or dog from a reputable rescue centre or breeder means they’ll already by microchipped. Ask about this before you take your new pet home and make sure you have the paperwork. 

• As your vet to check your pet’s microchip during their regular health checks to make sure it’s still working. You can then be prepared and take action if not! 

• If the worst happens and your pet goes missing, let the microchip company know so they can add a note to your pet’s file in case anyone gets in touch. 

• One of the most important activities after changing your phone number or moving house is to update your pet’s microchip details. If your pet goes missing and is found, you’ll be contacted through the details saved on the chip.