Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 10 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s Responsible Cat Ownership Working Group to adopt compulsory microchipping, whether it will provide an update on its position on the compulsory microchipping of pet cats.
The Scottish Government recognises that microchipping pets supports responsible ownership and helps reunite lost animals with their owners. It acknowledges the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s findings on the benefits for welfare and enforcement.
Officials are reviewing this recommendation alongside wider policy considerations, including impacts on owners, enforcement, and consistency with existing mandatory microchipping for dogs.