Caroline Ansell has welcomed a new law making it compulsory to microchip cats in England.
Caroline sat on a delegated legislation committee looking at the law and it will now come into force on 10 June 2024.
Presently around 25% or 2.3 million cats are not microchipped.
The move was supported by animal charities such as the Cats Protection which said eight out of 10 stray cats taken in by its adoption centres are not microchipped.
It would also allow the identification of cats involved in accidents or who sadly were killed by vehicles.
There was also public support for the measure with 99% in a government consultation saying they wanted it to happen.
“I am very pleased this measure is now law because it will help charities like Cats Protection and the RSPCA reunite cats with their owners far more easily,” said Caroline.
“Compulsory microchipping for dogs has been in place for some time and it is sensible that cats are now joining them.
“Cats and dogs are often much-loved members of the family and anything that ensures they remain so is good news."
Caroline herself is now a cat lover having taken in two from Cats Protection - the wish of her young son who had come through life-saving surgery.
In support of earlier animal welfare legislation, Caroline spoke of the role animals play in many areas of life, including health, and what they had meant to her family.
The microchipping move was also a Conservative Manifesto commitment.
The relevant legislation is the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023.
