Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd August 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Microchips reunite more cats with families
The RSPCA says that these cases highlight just how important microchipping is, as all four had been microchipped.

Success prompts RSPCA reminder of incoming microchip law.

The RSPCA is reminding cat owners of the incoming microchipping law, after four missing cats were reunited with their families after being scanned.

The law, which comes into effect from 10 June 2024, will mean it is mandatory for cats to be microchipped once they reach 20 weeks old. However, research from the RSPCA in May this year revealed that 47 per cent of adults in England were not aware of the law.

The RSPCA says that these cases highlight just how important microchipping is, as all four had been microchipped.

In each case, the RSPCA was able to scan the microchip in order to reunite the missing cat with its family as soon as possible.

One of the missing cats was six-year-old Oreo, who was missing for nine months after getting away from his owners during a house move.

The RSPCA was called out to reports of an unfamiliar and injured cat in a garden which, after scanning the microchip, was revealed to be Oreo.

Although Oreo’s injured leg had to be amputated, his owners were shocked and pleased to be reunited with him in their new home after so long.

Another cat, Will, was found trapped on a roof just over a mile away from his home after going missing nine days previously.

After being retrieved by fire and rescue officers, he was scanned for a microchip and quickly reunited with his owners.

RSPCA animal collection officer, Shane Lynch said: “It’s wonderful, although a little unusual, for us to be able to reunite four cats in just a matter of weeks - but it’s all thanks to the fact their owners had got them microchipped.

“Success stories like these show just how important these tiny chips can be. It’s disheartening collecting a cat who has strayed or got injured, who you suspect has a loving owner, but if they aren’t microchipped or wearing a collar it makes the job of tracing their family all the more difficult.

“This new law means that lost cats can be easily identified and reunited with their owners, rather than being handed to rehoming charities who are struggling with overflowing waiting lists.”

Images (C) RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.