Cats are one of the most popular pets in Scotland, yet unlike dogs they are not legally required to be microchipped. This makes it difficult to reunite lost or injured cats with their owners and places unnecessary pressure on animal shelters that care for stray or unidentified animals.

Many outdoor cats also face serious risks including road traffic accidents, injury from other animals, poisoning, and theft. At the same time, free-roaming domestic cats can have a significant impact on wildlife populations, particularly birds and small mammals.

Introducing mandatory microchipping for cats and encouraging responsible containment measures—such as keeping cats indoors at night or using enclosed outdoor spaces—would help protect cats, reduce pressure on animal shelters, and support wildlife conservation.

England introduced mandatory cat microchipping in 2024. Scotland should introduce similar responsible ownership measures to improve animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership.

This petition calls on the Scottish Government to introduce mandatory microchipping for all owned cats and consider responsible containment measures that improve cat safety while protecting wildlife.