Cats are beloved companions for many households across Wales. Yet, thousands of cats go missing every year, and many never return home. One effective way to improve the chances of lost cats being reunited with their owners is microchipping. Despite its benefits, microchipping is not yet mandatory for cats in Wales. This post explores the current situation, the importance of microchipping, and the push for mandatory microchipping through the CatsMatter campaign.

Recent data shows that over 105,000 cats in Wales are still without a microchip. With an estimated 74% microchipped as of 2025, this number is significantly lower than the microchipping rates for dogs, which are mandatory and have rates exceeding 90%. The low microchipping rate for cats means many lost or injured cats cannot be quickly identified or returned to their owners. This not only puts stress on the cats and owners themselves, but also the people trying to reunite them, such as rescues.

Animal shelters and rescue centres in Wales report that thousands of cats are brought in every year without any form of identification. Without microchips, these cats often remain in shelters for longer periods or, sadly, may never find their way back home.

Microchipping involves implanting a small, safe chip under a cat’s skin. This chip contains a unique identification number linked to the owner’s contact details in a national database. Here are key reasons why microchipping matters:

Microchips provide a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost or removed like collars or tags. This increases the chances of lost cats being returned quickly.

When cats are identified and returned promptly, shelters can focus resources on animals needing urgent care rather than housing lost pets.

Microchipping helps prevent unnecessary euthanasia of unclaimed cats and supports responsible pet ownership.

Microchips can prove ownership in cases of theft or disputes, protecting both cats and owners.

Wales already requires dogs to be microchipped by law, which has led to a significant drop in lost dogs remaining unclaimed. Extending this requirement to cats would bring similar benefits:

Mandatory microchipping would increase the number of cats returned to their owners, reducing distress for both pets and families.

Fewer unclaimed cats mean lower costs for animal shelters and means they can help genuinely lost and homeless cats that need that vital support.

Making microchipping compulsory would raise awareness and encourage owners to take responsibility for their cats’ safety.

Wales has a strong commitment to animal welfare, and mandatory microchipping would strengthen this commitment.

The CatsMatter campaign is a grassroots movement advocating for mandatory cat microchipping in Wales. It highlights the benefits of microchipping and calls on the Welsh Government to introduce legislation similar to that for dogs.

The campaign has gathered significant public support, including a petition hosted on the Senedd website. The petition urges the Welsh Government to make microchipping compulsory for all cats, aiming to protect cats and support their owners.

While we helped make mandatory cat microchipping become law in England on June 10, 2024, it is not yet a legal requirement in Wales. However, our continuous pressure and previous petition led the Welsh Government to previously commit to considering this measure in the Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-2026. It stated that the government would consider compulsory microchipping for cats yet implemented has not happened yet. Despite calls to mirror England’s legislation, there is no firm timeline for when, or if, this will be introduced in Wales.

Supporting the CatsMatter campaign is a practical way to help improve cat welfare in Wales. Here are some steps you can take:

Adding your name to the petition helps show the Welsh Government that there is strong public support for mandatory microchipping.

If your cat is not microchipped, arrange to have it done by a vet or animal welfare organisation.

Talk to friends, family, and neighbours about the benefits of microchipping and the campaign.

Donate or volunteer at animal shelters that care for lost and abandoned cats.