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Microchips reunite more cats with families
The RSPCA says that these cases highlight just how important microchipping is, as all four had been microchipped.

Success prompts RSPCA reminder of incoming microchip law.

The RSPCA is reminding cat owners of the incoming microchipping law, after four missing cats were reunited with their families after being scanned.

The law, which comes into effect from 10 June 2024, will mean it is mandatory for cats to be microchipped once they reach 20 weeks old. However, research from the RSPCA in May this year revealed that 47 per cent of adults in England were not aware of the law.

The RSPCA says that these cases highlight just how important microchipping is, as all four had been microchipped.

In each case, the RSPCA was able to scan the microchip in order to reunite the missing cat with its family as soon as possible.

One of the missing cats was six-year-old Oreo, who was missing for nine months after getting away from his owners during a house move.

The RSPCA was called out to reports of an unfamiliar and injured cat in a garden which, after scanning the microchip, was revealed to be Oreo.

Although Oreo’s injured leg had to be amputated, his owners were shocked and pleased to be reunited with him in their new home after so long.

Another cat, Will, was found trapped on a roof just over a mile away from his home after going missing nine days previously.

After being retrieved by fire and rescue officers, he was scanned for a microchip and quickly reunited with his owners.

RSPCA animal collection officer, Shane Lynch said: “It’s wonderful, although a little unusual, for us to be able to reunite four cats in just a matter of weeks - but it’s all thanks to the fact their owners had got them microchipped.

“Success stories like these show just how important these tiny chips can be. It’s disheartening collecting a cat who has strayed or got injured, who you suspect has a loving owner, but if they aren’t microchipped or wearing a collar it makes the job of tracing their family all the more difficult.

“This new law means that lost cats can be easily identified and reunited with their owners, rather than being handed to rehoming charities who are struggling with overflowing waiting lists.”

Images (C) RSPCA

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.