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Urgent three-day warning for pet owners ahead of big change to rules – or risk £500 fine
Plus tips on how to reduce your rising pet bills while still keeping your furry friends happy
PET owners could be slapped with a hefty £500 fine due to a major change to the law coming in just three days.
The government introduced a new legislation to Parliament that from June 10, all cats must be micro-chipped across Britain.
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All households must adhere to the compulsory change or face a big fine that could come their way.
Under the new rules, cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
With their contact details also needing to be stored and kept up to date in a nationwide pet microchipping database.
The reason for the changes is to make it easier for lost or stray cats to be returned home safely to their upset owners.
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Any owner who is found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted after being caught or face a fine of up to £500.
Out of the nine million pet cats in England, as many as 2.3million are still unchipped, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The move will align with the rules currently in place for dogs who, as of April 2016, must be microchipped.
Microchipping is a simple procedure that can be done easily by vets involving inserting a chip - generally around the size of a grain of rice - under an animal's skin.
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The unique chip has a serial number with it that the owner can register on a database so the owner's data can be uploaded.
When a lost animal is found, a scanner can read the microchip and have it show who the registered keeper is so the pet can quickly be reunited with their loved ones.
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Like any injection, microchipping can cause a tiny amount of discomfort but fortunately it is a very quick procedure that just takes a few seconds.
Most pets barely notice it, and they can be easily distracted with a treat during and after the procedure.
Microchips are made out of non-reactive materials, so once it’s in place it shouldn’t hurt or cause them any problems throughout their life.
The new cat-related rules are expected of every owner outside of free-living cats with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.
Owners who have already had their pets microchipped are also being advised to double check the chips are up to date with the correct details.
Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said on the change: "Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets.
"As we've seen with dog microchipping, microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owners.
"By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing."
The move has also been welcomed by Cats Protection, the cat rescue and welfare charity.
Since the measure was first introduced for dogs, Cats Protection has been calling for all cats to be microchipped.
Madison Rogers of Cats Protection said: "The charity regularly reunites owners with their much-loved cats, and in most cases, this is only possible thanks to microchips.
"No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip, there is a good chance that a lost cat will be swiftly returned home."
Costs can vary in terms of price but most microchipping procedures are usually around £10-£30 per pet.
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Some veterinary clinics and charities offer discounted microchipping schemes alongside neutering.
It's best to research what is available in your area to find the best option for you and your pet.
How can I trim my pet bills?
Budget
Design a nifty dedicated budget for all your pet-related expenses so you can keep track of them all.
This should include categories such as food, grooming, toys and veterinary care which can be done weekly, monthly or even yearly.
By having a clear understanding of your monthly pet-related outgoings, you can identify areas where you might be overspending and hopefully find opportunities to cut back.
Buy in bulk
Look for deals and discounts when purchasing pet supplies as they can make things cheaper.
One special tip is to try and bulk buy as it can often save you money in the long run.
It’s also fine to buy cheaper supermarket pet food as long as the label says "complete", as that means it has all the essential nutrients your pet needs.
Opt for pre-loved
Pick up pre-loved pet items for your favourite retailer such as eBay or Amazon.
It is also worth checking out the free section on Gumtree and the Nextdoor app because people have clear-outs everyday.
We've seen free cat carriers, pet beds and even puppy food listed for cheap.
Exercise and hygiene
Keeping your pet healthy is one of the best ways to save on vet costs as it means you can avoid ever making the unhappy journey.
Ensure your pet gets regular exercise through walks and playtime and make sure to do typical things like brushing their hair or teeth and keeping an eye on their nails.
Compare vet prices
When it comes to vets, prices can vary significantly between surgeries so its best to take the time to compare them.
One common area where pet owners may overspend is on subscriptions.
Compare and contrast vets in your area to find the best prices.
Get free help if you're struggling
The Blue Cross charity hands out pet food to hard-up owners — head to .
You can also make donations of pet food to the Blue Cross charity at Pets At Home stores nationwide.
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