CAT owners are being encouraged to microchip their feline friends to reduce the chance of them getting lost.

Microchipping pet dogs became a legal requirement in the UK earlier this year, but there is no such law in place for cats.

Last year, the charity Cats Protection rehomed 44,000 cats, a number which could be dramatically reduced if all cats were microchipped, according to Vets4Pets.

Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services, said: “Sadly it is not unusual for cats to go missing or get lost as they are generally more independent pets that love roaming outside.

“Many cats enjoy spending hours or even days exploring their territory, but cars and other animals can easily spook them. The result could see them hiding or running away and ending up lost miles away from home.

“Outdoor cats even like to find a warm place to shelter and sleep, like someone’s shed or garage, and end up getting accidentally locked in and trapped, sometimes for days.”

Many cats wear collars with tags with their owner’s details, but as they can easily break off, microchipping is the only permanent way lost cats can be reunited with their owners.

“Microchips are designed to last the cat’s lifetime so are a permanent source of identification and will significantly improve the chances of cats being returned to their owners safe and sound should they become lost,” Dr Stacey added.

“Owners needn’t worry - microchipping is a quick and easy procedure and causes minimal discomfort. It’s very similar to a vaccination or blood test being taken.

“Each microchip has a unique number which is registered against the owner’s contact details on a secure database.

“Vets, cat charities and rehoming centres have access to special scanners, which, when moved over a cat’s body, can reveal if it has a microchip.

“Cats can usually be microchipped from five weeks onwards so we recommend owners ensure their cats are microchipped before letting them outside for the first time.

“Not only do microchips help prevent theft and ownership disputes, they significantly increase the chances of owners and their lost cats being happily reunited.”