Keep it pawsitive: encouraging cat owners to chip early and avoid the rush

Microchipping cats has become a routine practice in veterinary care, ensuring a safe return home if they stray too far. Yet the 2023 PDSA Paw Report reveals that only 75% of cats are currently microchipped, with a significant number of cat owners unaware of the incoming legislation making feline microchipping compulsory for cats over 20 weeks from June 2024.

Every vet will have a memorable reunification story. Mine is of an inquisitive cat whose owner saw him in her front garden at 9am and by 10am she had received a call to say he was at the vets in a town 12 miles away with a broken leg. He must have been trapped in a delivery van, escaping into oncoming traffic when the door was reopened. That was in the early years of microchips and the story reached the front page of the local newspaper generating a keen interest in microchipping from other pet owners. No social media to amplify messages in those days.

I vividly recall the last-minute rush and owner panic in 2016 when microchipping of dogs came into law. The week before the deadline was chaotic with the phones ringing off the hook and the practice beset with queues of worried pet owners. It would be fantastic if already stretched veterinary teams can be spared a repeat next June!

The microchipping process is straightforward when done routinely but under pressure there is a multitude of potential error risk points. Fool proof accuracy when inputting chip numbers and client details onto practice PMS systems and chip databases is vital and requires time and patience. Not easy when there is pressure to move on quickly to the next one and limited computer terminals. Regardless of how effective Team Vet is at encouraging uptake over the next year it is worth practice teams planning for some last-minute rush next June by creating practice check lists and systems to reduce error margins.

Why are so many cats not chipped?

Microchip misconceptions abound and I’ve listed below some common ones with some words that may help vet teams when planning their own local media messaging about the new law and requirements:

1. A microchip is a tracking device: A microchip is a small implant placed under the cat's skin containing a unique identification number. Should a cat go missing or get lost, the microchip can be scanned by authorized individuals, such as veterinary clinics or animal shelters, to identify the cat and reunite them with their owner promptly.
2. Cost: Many caregivers assume that microchipping is expensive. However, the truth is that microchipping costs are relatively affordable compared to the potential emotional and financial toll of losing a beloved pet. Veterinary clinics may offer package deals or discounts for microchipping services, and some animal welfare organizations even provide low-cost or free microchipping programs.
3. Anaesthesia: Some cat owners may be under the impression that administering a microchip requires anaesthesia or sedation, which can raise concerns about the associated costs, risks, and inconvenience. Microchipping is a quick and straightforward procedure that can be done during a regular veterinary visit, without the need for anaesthesia. It typically takes just a few minutes and causes minimal discomfort for the cat.
4. Pain: There is a common misconception that the insertion of a microchip is extremely painful for cats. However, the procedure is generally well-tolerated by felines with little more than a momentary pinch or discomfort, like a routine vaccination. Most cats resume their normal activities shortly after the procedure, showing no signs of lasting pain or discomfort.
5. It’s no better than a collar and tag: Many caregivers may not fully understand the importance and value of microchipping their cats. It is crucial to educate cat owners about the benefits, such as the quicker return of a lost cat and the added security compared to collars and tags, which can be lost or removed. Even if a cat lives indoors, accidents happen, and a microchip ensures a higher chance of a safe return if the cat were to escape.
6. Fear of vet visits and other adverse effects: Some cat owners may hesitate to microchip their cats due to a fear of vet clinics or misinformation they have encountered on social media. It is essential to address these fears and provide accurate information about the microchipping procedure. Microchips have been used for many years and have a proven safety record. The risk of adverse effects is minimal, and cases of migration under the skin are uncommon. A great opportunity to highlight the work practices may be doing to become feline friendly too!

Good luck Team Vet with your cat microchipping awareness campaigns over the next year, do share your progress and reunification stories as this really helps build interest and understanding of the importance of microchipping.