Around 1.1 million cats in England have out of date microchip details

Around 1.1 million^[1][2] cats in England have microchips with incorrect or out‑of‑date registration details, according to new research^[2] from Direct Line pet insurance, undermining the effectiveness of the compulsory microchipping law^[3] nearly two years after it came into force on 10 June 2024.

While the majority (72%) of cat owners surveyed have complied with the legislation, the findings reveal a significant gap between microchipping a pet and keeping the information accurate. More than one in ten (13%) cat owners say their cat is microchipped but that their contact details are no longer correct, meaning thousands of lost or injured cats could still struggle to be reunited with their owners.

The research also shows that compliance with the microchipping law remains an issue. An estimated 850,000 cats across England are not microchipped at all, with one in 10 cats (10%)^[4] remaining unprotected despite the law change. While half of owners with unchipped cats say they intend to get it done, one in 20 say they have no plans to microchip their cat, despite the legal requirement.

Under the legislation^[3] cat owners need to microchip their cat before they reach 20 weeks and ensure that the chip details are kept up to date on an approved database. Owners of unmicrochipped cats can be issued with a 21‑day compliance notice, after which they may face a fine of up to £500 if they fail to act. While the financial penalty is significant, the emotional impact can be even greater.

Without a microchip, cats that are lost, stolen, or injured are far less likely to be reunited with their owners. Microchipping remains the single most effective way of proving ownership, far more reliable than collars or tags, which can fall off or be removed.

Microchipping costs around £10–£30 and is a one‑off procedure that lasts a cat’s lifetime. Many animal charities and vet practices offer low‑cost or free microchipping schemes, making compliance accessible for most owners.

Adam Burgin, Head of Direct Line pet insurance, said: “It’s concerning that so many cat owners say their pet’s microchip details are out of date, or that they have no intention of microchipping their cat. While the risk of a £500 fine may grab attention, the real issue is that cats with missing or incorrect details are far less likely to be reunited with their owners if they go missing. Microchipping and keeping details up to date is quick, inexpensive and could spare owners significant heartache. Anyone who still hasn’t microchipped their cat should consider doing so as soon as possible.”

Enquiries:

About Direct Line:

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line and is part of the Aviva Group.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

References:

^1. _{Calculations based on there being 8.5 million cats in England: Cats report UK 2025 (PDF) [↑]}

^2. _{The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,039 cat owners. The data was collected between 16.03.2026-20.03.2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. [↑]}

^3. _{Cat microchipping now mandatory - GOV.UK [↑]}

^4. _{Combining: ‘No, my cat is not microchipped and I do not plan to microchip it’ (4.62%) and ‘No, my cat is not microchipped but I plan to get it done’ (5.49%) [↑]}