What to do should you discover a stray cat — plus the £5,000 mistake to keep away from

New UK laws has made it obligatory for all cat homeowners to microchip their pets. The rule, which got here into impact simply this yr, is meant to make it simpler for misplaced or stray cats to be reunited with their homeowners. If an proprietor is discovered to not have their cat microchipped, they might face a £500 superb if one will not be inserted inside 21 days. Right here, the specialists from Catit clarify what this implies for cat homeowners, what to do should you discover a stray cat, and different legal guidelines cat homeowners want to remember — together with the widespread mistake that might value you £5,000 in fines.

The brand new microchipping regulation
Based on knowledge from Cats Safety, round 2.8 million cats within the UK weren’t microchipped in 2022— that’s round 26% of the UK’s pet cat inhabitants. These unchipped cats are significantly weak to being misplaced or stolen as there’s no approach to hint them again to their proprietor.

Below the brand new regulation, cat homeowners have till the tenth of June 2024 to get their cat microchipped. All unchipped cats have to be microchipped earlier than this date. Afterwards, homeowners might want to chip new cats earlier than they attain 20 weeks outdated. If homeowners fail to microchip their cat, they are going to be given 21 days to take action. Failure to chip a cat after this time will lead to a £500 superb. Chipping your cat may be very easy and may be carried out at your native vet for round £20–£30 (Cats Safety). In the course of the appointment, a small microchip will probably be inserted underneath your cat’s pores and skin. The process may be very fast and painless and may really feel very similar to getting an injection.

The microchip could have a singular code that can be utilized to establish your cat by way of a database. The code may even be linked to your contact particulars so it’s vital to maintain the chip up to date in case your particulars change.

What to do should you discover a stray cat

In case you discover a misplaced cat, the brand new microchipping regulation will make it a lot simpler to find the cat’s proprietor, however there are a couple of different steps you may take earlier than taking it to a neighborhood vet to verify the chip. Below the Theft Act 1968, a misplaced or stray cat is the ‘property’ of the unique proprietor, so all the required steps have to be taken to search out the cat’s residence wherever attainable.

The way to establish a stray or feral cat

In case you come throughout a cat and you are feeling involved about their security, it is best to first verify that the cat is certainly a stray moderately than merely an outside cat or a feral cat.

Stray cats are those who have beforehand had a house however have run away, turn into misplaced, or have been deserted. As they’re used to being round folks, stray cats are usually discovered round residential areas. Whereas they could be troubled or frightened, they are often rehabilitated again into home life. As they’re not used to dwelling outdoors alone, stray cats could have a dishevelled look and is likely to be skinny and unwell. Domesticated out of doors cats that aren’t misplaced will seem wholesome, neat, and clear.

Alternatively, a feral cat is a cat that was born and lives within the wild. These cats are likely to have little or no human interplay and consequently could run away should you attempt to method them. They could even have the potential to turn into aggressive in the event that they really feel threatened. As they’re tailored to dwelling outside and are used to with the ability to wander round farms and roam in massive areas, feral cats are higher at taking care of themselves within the wild, so will look well-fed and groomed.

Approaching a stray cat

In case you have recognized a cat as a stray, it is best to method it fastidiously in order to not frighten them. Maintain your hand out and name to the cat in a delicate, calm voice. You possibly can additionally provide some dry meals and water to encourage the cat to method you. Keep away from leaving out moist meals, as this might include potential allergens. Dry meals can be left outdoors for a time period as you identify belief.

Discovering their proprietor

As soon as the cat has established some type of belief with you, you may verify to see if they’re carrying a collar with the proprietor’s contact particulars on it. If the cat doesn’t have contact particulars on its collar, you may connect a be aware to ask if the cat belongs to somebody. If there isn’t any collar, you may add a makeshift one comprised of paper. This manner, if the cat does go residence, the proprietor can both ship a be aware again (cats will return to the place they’ve learnt belief) or they are going to publish on social media to let the neighbourhood know that the cat is theirs and is protected and effectively.

You possibly can additionally ask your neighbours in the event that they recognise the cat, both by going door to door, posting in your neighbourhood social media group, or placing up posters. Some cats could appear like a stray if they’ve been in a battle or have well being issues, however they’re nonetheless owned.

If nobody steps ahead to assert the cat, you will get the cat checked to see if it has been microchipped. There are two methods to do that. You possibly can ask on social media to see if there’s anybody in your native space with a microchip scanner — there could also be somebody close by who appears for misplaced animals in your space. This can be a good choice should you can’t get to a vet, as they are going to normally come out to you. It should additionally assist keep away from any upset as you received’t want to maneuver the kitty from its environment.

Alternatively, you may take the cat to your native vet to get it scanned. In case you’ll be driving with the cat in tow, make sure you put it in a safe cat service. Based on the Freeway Code, all animals needs to be suitably restrained within the automotive in order that they can not distract you whereas driving. Failure to restrain the animal appropriately might result in a superb of as much as £5,000 (RAC).

A top-opening cat service will make the journey rather more snug for a nervous stray cat. These open from the highest as an alternative of the entrance, which may make the cat really feel much less cornered. It’s additionally a lot simpler to get the cat out and in of this sort of service, which is ideal for cats that aren’t acquainted with you.

What if no proprietor steps ahead?

In case you’ve tried all of the affordable steps to find the cat’s proprietor and nobody comes ahead inside seven days, the cat may be rehomed. It is possible for you to to determine whether or not you’ll take the cat in your self or ship it to a rehoming shelter.

What different legal guidelines do cat homeowners must know?

All of us love our feline buddies and wish to ensure that they dwell the most effective, most snug life attainable. However do you know that that is really required by regulation? The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that pets ought to have 5 primary wants met. These are:

• Entry to an acceptable setting
• An appropriate food plan
• The flexibility to exhibit regular behaviour patterns
• The have to be housed with or aside from different animals
• Safety from ache, struggling, harm, and illness

This regulation applies whether or not you’re taking care of a cat on a brief or everlasting foundation.

Whereas it goes with out saying, be sure to supply your cat with a cushty place to relaxation and play, with common entry to meals and contemporary water. Many cats may be fussy with regards to consuming so you might wish to put money into a cat water fountain. This may present a continuing circulate of contemporary, filtered water which may encourage even the fussiest felines to drink repeatedly. An computerized cat feeder may also provide your cat with constant, balanced meals, even whilst you’re out and about. These are additionally nice for constructing belief with a stray cat, as you can also make positive they’re consuming sufficient with out binge consuming in worry of the place their subsequent meal may come from.

Remark:
“Our cats are a part of the household, so in fact we wish to preserve them protected. As free-roaming animals, it may be tough to maintain tabs on the place your feline buddies are. That’s why the brand new microchipping regulation is nice information, because it will increase the probabilities of so many misplaced cats being reunited with their households.

“A collar and tag are additionally a good suggestion for out of doors cats, permitting your pet to be reunited with you rather more rapidly in the event that they stray too removed from residence. Simply be sure to decide on a quick-release collar that can snap open if it will get caught on one thing.”
— Paul Trott from Catit