Microchipping your cat is beneficial as it is the best way of proving that your cat belongs to you. When a cat is found, one of the first things a cat charity or vet clinic will do is check if the cat is microchipped.

The chip data cloud run by Pet Identity UK contains your name, address and phone number so they can easily get in touch with you to reunite you with your cat. Since many cats go outdoors every day, there is a chance that they could get lost exploring their neighbourhood or even stolen by someone hoping to sell them on for profit.

The microchip never needs to be replaced, so you do not have any recurring fees to pay. Your Pet Identity UK lifetime registration has no additional cost for the whole life of your cat and comes with many exclusive benefits including Vet-Check a look up search facility to locate your pets medical history and contact details for your current presiding veterinary surgery..

Microchipping is a quick and painless procedure, similar to your cat getting an injection. There is no recovery time required and your cat will not feel any different. The procedure can also be performed in the comfort of your home, and we work with may regional home service microchipping implanting providers who are certified and verified by Pet Identity UK

If you have a cat flap in your home or are considering getting one, your cat’s microchip has an added benefit. You can purchase a cat flap that can be programmed to recognise your cat’s microchip and only allow them entry. This stops other cats from entering your home to steal your cat’s food!

While the theft of dogs is more common, there are up to 300-400 cases of cat theft reported each year. It is difficult with cats to determine if they have been stolen or are simply missing as most cats have access to the outdoors without their owners being in near company.

It is not uncommon for cats to spend a few days wandering before returning to their home for food and rest. In fact, many cat owners learn to judge their cat’s wandering habits.

When a cat does not return home after a normal period, the owner would then report them missing.

Any cat can be a target for animal thieves if the opportunity arises, but the targets for criminals are typically rare pedigree breeds:

• Maine coon
• Siamese
• Bengal
• Russian blue
• American curl
• Munchkin

It is becoming increasingly common for owners of rare breeds to keep them as indoor cats, as the risk of them being stolen is too great.

Cats are typically targeted for two reasons:

• Breeding: thieves will steal cats in the hope they are unneutered and can breed from them, with kittens being sold for as much as £2,000 each depending on the breed. Most cats stolen for breeding purposes are kept in poor conditions and are not given any rest time between birthing a litter and the next pregnancy. They are not providing any veterinary care as the vet may scan the cat’s chip and recognise the cat has been stolen.

• Selling for profit: cat thieves will try to sell on the cat they stole for a quick profit. The quicker they can resell the cat, the less chance there is of them being linked to the crime. It is vital that you ask for a cat’s microchip number if you are considering buying a cat. Any reputable owner will happily provide this information.

Stealing a cat tends to be appealing to criminals as the prosecution rates are very low and punishment does not fit the crime. While a person convicted of stealing a pet can be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison, the most common sentences are minimal community service or a small fine.

In 2016 there were 261 reported cat thefts, however, research shows that as many as 360,000 cat owners believe their cat may have been stolen between 2016 and 2017. Only 55% of these people were reunited with their cat and many cat owners never report their cats missing.

Your cat may never be the target of criminals, but it is best to prepared should the worst happen. It is important to act quickly if your cat is stolen to give you the greatest chance of being reunited with them.

1. The first thing you should do is to contact the microchip company that you registered with and report your cat as lost or stolen. They will update the details on your cat’s microchip so any animal organisation or vet clinic will be informed if they find your cat.
2. Your next step is to call the police if you are certain your cat has been stolen. Give them your cats microchip number and any details you can remember about the incident. You should request a crime reference number so you can check the progress of the investigation.
3. Post on your social media with a recent photo of your cat, where the theft took place and any details you think might help. Ask people to check their home CCTV as this can often provide vital evidence for the police to track and find the criminals.
4. Contact local vet clinics and animal rescues to see if a cat matching yours has been handed in as a stray.
5. Print posters and put them up around your local area. Choose busy places like supermarkets, parks and high streets that will get lots of attention. Be sure to include your phone number so you can be easily contacted.

All Cat Database Microchip registrations are covered to perform the services above on your behalf (except direct police contact which must be done by the pet owner for legal reason).

The Cat Microchip Database (administrated by Pet Identity UK) has direct links to a national network of veterinary surgeries, pet welfare organisations, council wardens and border control.

Each cat registered with the Cat Microchip Database has their own unique Pet Identity code (as well as their microchip number) that is linked to each cats own unique data cloud.

This feline security Pet Identity UK ID code can record many different telephone and contact numbers and addresses, next of kin, veterinary details, cat medical history, pet insurance details and a full cat profile including digital image recognition that can be shared in all reported lost and stolen cats.

The Cat Microchip Database is the only company with Vet-Check and has been developed over 5 years exclusively for your pet’s welfare.

It is not uncommon for cats to spend a few days wandering before returning to their home for food and rest. In fact, many cat owners learn to judge their cat’s wandering habits.

When a cat does not return home after a normal period, the owner would then report them missing.

Any cat can be a target for animal thieves if the opportunity arises, but the targets for criminals are typically rare pedigree breeds:

• Maine coon
• Siamese
• Bengal
• Russian blue
• American curl
• Munchkin

It is becoming increasingly common for owners of rare breeds to keep them as indoor cats, as the risk of them being stolen is too great.

Cats are typically targeted for two reasons:

• Breeding: thieves will steal cats in the hope they are unneutered and can breed from them, with kittens being sold for as much as £2,000 each depending on the breed. Most cats stolen for breeding purposes are kept in poor conditions and are not given any rest time between birthing a litter and the next pregnancy. They are not providing any veterinary care as the vet may scan the cat’s chip and recognise the cat has been stolen.

• Selling for profit: cat thieves will try to sell on the cat they stole for a quick profit. The quicker they can resell the cat, the less chance there is of them being linked to the crime. It is vital that you ask for a cat’s microchip number if you are considering buying a cat. Any reputable owner will happily provide this information.

Stealing a cat tends to be appealing to criminals as the prosecution rates are very low and punishment does not fit the crime. While a person convicted of stealing a pet can be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison, the most common sentences are minimal community service or a small fine.