Microchipping

Its quick, easy, low cost and can save a lot of heart ache

Microchipping is a quick and simple process of inserting a small microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the cat's skin between the shoulder blades. Each micro chip has its own unique number which can be read by a scanner in a similar way to which items in the supermarket have bar codes which are scanned at the till. The number is stored on a national data base, along with the human's address and contact details.

If cats are found straying and taken to a vet or rescue, the first thing that happens is that they are scanned to see if they have a microchip. If there are chipped, the data base is contacted, who are then able to contact the humans. Unfortunate cats who are found deceased may also be scanned, and humans contacted. [Not good news for anyone however at least it gives some closure]

It is very important therefore that you keep your contact details up to date and inform the data base of any changes - especially if you move house.

It's much more reliable than a collar which can be lost or removed if the cat strays.

If you've adopted a cat or kitten from 8 Lives its 99% certain s/he will be chipped by the time s/he comes to you. You'll be given details of the chip number and the rescue will arrange with the chip company to have the cat's details changed and updated.

Kittens can be chipped from about 8 weeks old, ideally a little older. Many people opt to have kittens chipped whilst they're under anaesthetic being neutered. However it only takes about the same time to do as a vaccination does, and mostly, especially when done by an experienced implanted the kitten / cat barely notices it.

Benson - opposite - was chipped at age 8 weeks with no problems at all.

You may recognise the young man opposite from the lost and found page on this site. Reunited with his family, thanks to his microchip, over 5 years after he'd gone missing...