A FELINE charity has called on cat lovers to support compulsory microchipping of pet cats by taking part in a Government consultation on the issue.

Cats Protection has set up an online tool to make it quick and simple for animal lovers to back new Government proposals that would make microchipping a legal requirement for pet cats, as it already is for dogs.

According to Cats Protection, compulsory microchipping would significantly improve the welfare of cats in the UK - making them easier to identify if they are lost, injured or killed while outdoors.

It is estimated there are 10.2 million owned cats in the UK, with 26 per cent of those not microchipped, according to Cats Protection's Cats and Their Stats 2020 report.

Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy and Government Relations, Jacqui Cuff, said: “It can be devastating when a cat goes missing, and having a microchip is the best way of ensuring they can be returned home. Sadly, if they are not microchipped, there may be no way of tracing a cat’s owner and they may be rehomed, or face a life living as a stray. Making microchipping compulsory would ensure it becomes a routine part of responsible pet ownership, enabling lost or injured cats to swiftly be returned to their owner."

Register your support by using Cats Protection’s online tool at www.cats.org.uk/microchippingcampaign