Rhiannon Ingle
Anyone with a four-legged friend in their life will know all about the joys, comfort and happiness they can bring.
However, along with all that lovely stuff, owning a pet can also come with a pretty high cost after forking out for food, bedding, vet bills and all the rest.
And, to help you save some pennies, Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to pet owners after the introduction of a brand-new law which could result in huge fine.
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Now, the government has announced that all cat owners need to have their furry friend fitted with a microchip and registered on a database by the time it’s eight-weeks-old.
The official Gov.uk website explains: "From 10 June 2024, cats in England will need to be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they’re 20 weeks old."
And what's the fine if you don't?
Well, pet owner can face a hefty fine of up to £500 if your cat 'is not microchipped when they need to be'.
The Money Saving Expert's website has since offered advice on microchipping your pet and shared the importance of getting it done before the deadline next month in order to avoid the fine.
"Microchipping helps owners get reunited with lost pets," the website explains. "A scannable chip is inserted under its skin, then registered."
In short, this means that the pet can be returned to its owner if it gets lost and is then found.
Your pet’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional with MSE saying that the process usually costs around £10 to £30 per pet, but there are some places you'll be able to get your pooch microchipped for free including Dogs Trust rehoming centres, via a Blue Cross centre or even by some councils.
And not to worry if you're a cat mum as, similarly, some local charities offer a free service or host events where the service is provided for absolutely nothing.
Your pet’s microchip contains a number, which will show up whenever your dog or cat is scanned.
The government also warns that you're responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house, as you will be expected to contact the database company your dog or cat is registered with to update any of your details.
You may also be charged a fee for updating your pet’s microchip information.