Found in France. Home in the UK.
“I am a volunteer at an animal shelter in France. A cat with a UK chip was brought to us. Pet Database found the owner's contact details and, after a few weeks, Kevin was reunited with his family.”
Cat microchipping:
Everything you need to know
Microchipping your cat is one thing. Making sure it actually works is another. Pet Database is a DEFRA-compliant microchip database, one of 24 government-sanctioned services helping reunite lost pets with their owners quickly and safely.
DEFRA-compliant database
One of 24 government-sanctioned databases
Trusted by thousands of UK pet owners
What is a cat microchip?
A cat microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted just under your cat's skin. It carries a unique 15-digit number that can be read by a scanner at veterinary practices, rescue centres, and local authorities.
That number doesn't hold your details itself. Instead, it links to a record stored in a microchip database. When your cat is scanned, the number is used to find your contact information so you can be reached.
Here's the important bit most people miss. Implanting the microchip is only the first half of the system. Signing up your details to the database is the other half!
If your details are missing, out of date, or registered incorrectly, the chip still works, but no one can contact you. Which means a found cat can't always be returned home.
That's why microchipping isn't just about getting the chip in. It's about making sure your details are registered properly and kept up to date.
78%
Around 78% of UK cats are microchipped, meaning roughly 1 in 5 still aren't
2.2M
Up to 2.2 million cats in England remain unchipped despite legal requirements
115,000
115,000 cats go missing every year in England and never return home to their owners
70%
Up to 70% of microchip records have missing or out-of-date details making owners harder to reach
Do you need to microchip your cat in 2026
Yes. In England, it's now a legal requirement to microchip your cat (or dog ) and register your details from 10 June 2024. Cats must be microchipped by the time they're 20 weeks old, and if they're not, you could face a fine of up to £500.
To stay compliant, you need to make sure your cat is microchipped, register your details on a DEFRA-compliant database, and keep those details up to date. It's that last part that often gets missed, but it matters just as much as the chip itself.
If your cat isn't microchipped, you may be given 21 days to sort it. If you don't, a fine can follow. The rules can vary slightly across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but if you're unsure, the safest option is simple: get your cat microchipped and make sure your details are correct.
Learn more:
How to get your cat microchipped
Getting your cat microchipped is quick and straightforward. Most cats are chipped at a veterinary practice, although some charities and rescues offer it too. The whole process only takes a few minutes, and once it’s done, your cat has a permanent form of identification.
Visit a vet or clinic
Book an appointment at your local practice or charity.
Microchip is implanted
A tiny chip is placed under your cat's skin in seconds.
Chip is scanned
The chip is checked and your unique number is recorded.
Register your details
Add your cat to our database. Updated details = safe pet.
The steps above show how it works from start to finish. Your cat is chipped, the number is checked, and you're given the details you need. That part is simple. What matters just as much is what comes next, making sure your details are properly registered so your cat can be traced if they're found.
Microchipping a cat in the UK usually costs between £10 and £30, depending on where you go. Some charities offer it free or at a reduced cost. Kittens can be microchipped from around 8 weeks old, but in England it must be done by 20 weeks old to meet legal requirements.
If you're wondering whether it hurts, it's very similar to a routine injection. Most cats react very little, and it's over in seconds. After that, they can carry on as normal.
Learn more:
Choosing a microchip for kittens →
Already microchipped? Make sure it leads back to you.
Your cat might already be microchipped. That doesn’t always mean they can be traced. A microchip only works if your details are current and accessible. Update your pet’s details for free, and help bring them home safe in the unfortunate event they get lost.
Why Pet Database?
- Pay once, keep your details up to date for life — Keeping your information up to date shouldn't cost extra
- Works with any microchip, no hassle — Update your details instantly, no chasing your vet, no need to re-chip
- Extra protection when it matters — Smart Tags and safety alerts help you get notified faster if your cat is found
- More ways to get them home — Lost pet services to support with locating your cat quickly if it goes missing
- DEFRA-compliant database — One of the UK's government-approved microchip databases
Why some cats find their way home, and others don't
A microchip without up-to-date details is little more than a number. The moment a cat goes missing, everything depends on what’s behind it: who’s registered, how to reach them, and how fast. These are the stories that show why it matters.
Trustpilot
Registered while he was missing. Home within days.
“Easy to upload information at a stressful time when my cat was missing. It was comforting to know he was registered on a database with a wide reach. Happily, he came home.”
Adopted, chipped under someone else's name. Sorted.
“I adopted my cat from a friend who didn't know the details originally logged. Pet Database helped me get everything transferred correctly. The whole experience was positive from start to finish.”
What happens if your cat goes missing
Cats disappear more easily than most owners expect. One open door, one unfamiliar route, and suddenly they're gone. When that happens, what matters most is how quickly someone can identify them and contact you.
If your cat is found, they're usually taken to a veterinary practice or rescue centre and scanned for a microchip. If the details are correct, you get a call. If they're not, everything slows down. A microchip can turn a lost cat into a quick reunion, but only if your details are accurate and up to date. That's the difference between getting a call the same day, or waiting much longer.
If your cat does go missing, you can report a lost or found pet share details, and increase the chances of your cat being recognised and returned safely. Because when your cat is found, you want to be the one they call.
Learn more:
From Scan to Safe: How microchips help reunite lost pets →
How shelters and microchips work together to reunite pets with families →
Cat microchipping FAQs
How much does it cost to microchip a cat?+
What age should a cat be microchipped?+
Does microchipping a cat hurt?+
Can you feel a microchip in a cat?+
How long does a cat microchip last?+
Do indoor cats need to be microchipped?+
What happens if my cat's microchip details are out of date?+
What if I adopt a cat and the microchip is registered to someone else?+
Can a cat microchip be removed or fail?+
How do I check if my cat's microchip is registered?+
More microchipping resources
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