Unchipped cat crisis 'out of control' in resort

A huge number of cats not being microchipped is a "major problem" at "epidemic levels", animal charity workers have said.

Joan Lamb, a cat rescuer and volunteer for animal reuniting charity Harvey's Army, said many stray cats in Blackpool could not be linked to owners and had not been neutered or spayed either.

She said the law requiring all cats in England to be registered on a database was not being enforced.

Another charity, Blackpool Cats in Care, said nearly all the cats it rehomed were unchipped and agreed there was "no deterrent".

Blackpool Council said it was not always routinely informed when a cat was found to be unchipped, so the system was "inconsistent".

Under a law brought in in 2024, all cats in England must be microchipped and registered on a database. Pet owners found breaking the rules face a £500 fine.

There is a penalty grace period so if a cat is found without a microchip, the owner is usually given 21 days to have one implanted.

The law states local councils and animal welfare officers will take the lead on checking compliance and issuing notices in their local areas.

Lamb said: "The situation regarding cats is now a complete crisis not only in Blackpool but across the country.

"Despite the introduction of a law in England in June 2024 requiring all owned cats to be microchipped, local councils are not taking enforcement action."

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I made an FOI (freedom of information) request to Blackpool Council and was told they do not carry out any enforcement action.

"As a volunteer for Harvey's Army I attend situations to scan cats and try and reunite them.

"The number of unchipped cats is now at epidemic levels. Most are not neutered as well."

She said a widespread lack of enforcement action meant "cats were suffering".

"We need some kind of enforcement action to make an impact," she added.

Local rescue organisation Blackpool Cats in Care currently has 85 cats and kittens looking for homes and co-founder Nicky Hoyle agreed with Lamb's concerns.

"It's a major problem," Hoyle said.

"The real issue is owners who just don't bother chipping or neutering their cats and who then don't care enough if they end up on the street.

"Many of them pick up kittens for free, from a neighbour or someone they know, and then find they can't afford vet bills, let alone chipping or neutering.

"Nearly all the cats we take in are unchipped and haven't been neutered, so we make sure we chip them all and neuter the cats when they're old enough, before finding them good homes."

Hoyle added: "The real owners, even if they could be traced, are usually not bothered about getting them back.

"Then, there is no-one enforcing the law so there is absolutely no deterrent. I've chased up cases with the council but nothing happens.

"Frankly, no-one cares and that is a main part of the problem."

Blackpool Council said: "We deal with welfare complaints regarding cats and work with charities in dealing with these jobs.

"The majority of complaints or service requests we receive relate to cats that have been involved in road traffic accidents.

"Animal welfare charities that attend incidents involving lost, injured, or deceased cats will often scan the animals for microchips and, where possible, reunite them with their owners.

"However, we aren't routinely informed when a cat is found to be unchipped or when the microchip details are incorrect or out of date.

"Due to the inconsistent availability of this information, we are unable to accurately assess the scale of issues relating to unchipped cats or determine the extent of outdated microchip registration records across our town."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.