65% of stray cats arriving at Woodgreen still not microchipped – one year after law change

With the first anniversary of compulsory cat microchipping approaching, the charity is highlighting a worrying lack of awareness of the law among pet owners in the region. From 10 June 2024, it became a legal requirement for pet owners in England to microchip their cat before they reach 20 weeks of age, under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023.

 Despite this, three out of five (65%) stray cats brought into Woodgreen’s Godmanchester centre over the past 12 months were not microchipped. And many cat owners the charity speaks to on a daily basis remain unaware that the law even exists, putting their pets at greater risk of not being reunited with their humans should they go missing.

Between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025, the charity has seen a 38% year-on-year increase in stray cats when compared to the same period the previous year. These pets are less likely to be reclaimed, with only 7% of stray cats reunited with their owners at Woodgreen in the past 12 months. Reasons include cats having either no microchip or incorrect details linked to the chip, meaning there’s no way to contact owners to let them know their beloved pet is safe.

Woodgreen’s community team is also seeing large numbers of unchipped cats across Cambridgeshire, particularly in Peterborough and March.

Beverley Street, senior operations manager at Woodgreen, said: “A year after the change in the law, we’re still seeing a very high number of stray cats arriving without a microchip. Even more concerning is that many cat owners who do come to reclaim their pets simply don’t know about the law change. ​

“Having your cat microchipped and keeping the details up to date is absolutely the best way to ensure you have every chance of getting your cat home if they go missing. When cats come into Woodgreen without a microchip or with out-of-date contact details, it hugely reduces the chances of us being able to locate an owner.

“As the weather warms up, young male cats can travel huge distances in search of a mate, while pregnant females will often go off to have their kittens. If they’re not microchipped and get lost, it’s highly likely these pets won’t be returned home. We get so many stray mums and kittens come into our care and sadly, no-one knows who they belong to.”

Woodgreen’s community team is actively working in key areas across Cambridgeshire to help keep pets in their loving homes. As part of this, free health and wellbeing checks are being carried out in the pet’s own home. Owners will receive tailored advice on everything from spotting early signs of illness to questions about insurance, neutering and general pet care. They can microchip cats during the visit for a suggested donation of £5.

Pet owners living in qualifying postcodes in Cambridge, Peterborough, March, St Neots, Huntingdon and Littleport can book a pet home visit.