Microchipping cats

Chardy

The original question was 'If they don't go out, why chip them?'

And if they don't go out, do they even need vaccinating?

My cat lady has bags of kittens dumped on her step nearly every week. She only rehomes the healthy ones when they are ready and expects a donation, around £50.
Lots of cats come through my garden since I got mine and there was a terrible fight this morning with fur flying everywhere .
My boy doesn't fight but is quick to
chase off intruders.

everywhere.

Our own cats are country cats with lots of space to roam, up a drive off a quiet lane. We do get them all in at night. However our beautiful two year old fluffy black boy was killed on the road during the day. People drive too fast and some don't slow down if they see animals/wildlife.

We said if we had young cats again, we'd really love to build them a very big safe enclosure with plants and bushes etc. And an access tunnel to the house. It would give us peace of mind.

seacliff

Our own cats are country cats with lots of space to roam, up a drive off a quiet lane. We do get them all in at night. However our beautiful two year old fluffy black boy was killed on the road during the day. People drive too fast and some don't slow down if they see animals/wildlife.

We said if we had young cats again, we'd really love to build them a very big safe enclosure with plants and bushes etc. And an access tunnel to the house. It would give us peace of mind.

We built an enclosure for a Burmese we had years ago but all he wanted to do was escape out of the front door. He once escaped out of a loft window and had to be rescued off the roof. He died quite young of an infection and I always regret him not having the freedom he craved.

And if they don't go out, do they even need vaccinating?

I keep mine fully vaccinated. He goes to the vet, unfortunately quite frequently this past year, and you never know when a cat might need to go into a cattery eg due to an owners ill-health.

All of our 4 cats have been both microchipped and have ear tattoos.

The 2 youngest will be indoor cats as one is partially sighted due to previous neglect and too unafraid the other is such a scardy cat that she might panic and run and never be seen again (we got both from a shelter after animal protection removed them from original owners). However I could never 100% guarantee that they would never manage to escape and would like them returned if they do.

Chardy

The 7am News has just reported that cat-microchipping will be made mandatory (no time-scale was mentioned). As so few cats are seen out and about on the streets in towns, I assume that many don't let their cats out to wander.
If they don't go out, why chip them?

Because they invariably do escape, one day or another. And if they are not used to go out, they are much more at risk than those who are.

If you take your moggy for microchipping hold it very tightly. DS's cousin took her puppy which wriggled at the crucial moment. Cousin got the chip in her arm. At least if she gets lost she will be returned home.

I do not agree with microchipping cats, it's against their nature. And if owners want to keep their cats in doors they can do it. Because no one knows a pet more than its owner.

VictoryaW17

I do not agree with microchipping cats, it's against their nature. And if owners want to keep their cats in doors they can do it. Because no one knows a pet more than its owner.

What?

My little babies are both microchipped because if one of them wandered off there is much more chance of getting them back. You know what, it is against nature to fly in a plane, get vaccinated against anything at all ,drive a car. Really! Life is full of compromises.

Even indoor cats can sometimes get
out by accident, you see desperate posts on local Facebook groups. Cats get in vans and jump out miles from home. Sadly some get run over. If your cat is chipped in these circumstances, you are much more likely to be reunited with them.

Sparklefizz

Some cats actually don't want to go out. I had a little rescue cat who was terrified to go over the thresh hold into the garden.

I dare say that’s because she hadn’t been allowed to before.

My SiL fosters a lot of cats. She had one that had previously lived for 9 years in a high rise flat and had never been outside. With patience SiL did overcome her fear, and eventually the cat came to enjoy the garden and being out of doors generally.