Cheap microchipping helps reunite cats

The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Southampton is appealing for owners who think their cats are lost or have strayed to get in touch, as they believe many cats in the rehoming centre have owners.

Many cats are bought into the centre by people who have found them wandering the streets, and even without the cats having ID, staff can tell if they have been owned by the condition they are in and how they react to people. These cats are then advertised by the charity in local papers in the ‘lost and found’ column; however, very few people ever come forward to claim their pets. Therefore, the centre is holding a subsidised microchipping day on 8 December 2006 to help owners who want their animal to be easily identifiable in case it gets lost or stolen.

Deputy Centre manager Lara Alford said: “We get a lot of cats in who might well love to go back home, but no one ever comes looking for them. We have some owners who are so happy when they find their cat has been with us, and these are the ones that usually have microchips where the address on the chip has been kept up to date. We would ask anyone who has lost a cat recently to get in touch, as we think that some cats here are not really homeless.”

The charity is also concerned that the number of cats on the centre’s waiting list is growing and they would be able to help more if those that could be reunited were claimed. The Blue Cross relies entirely on public donations and received no government funding. All animals leave the charity having been checked by a vet, vaccinated, microchipped, and come with six weeks’ free pet insurance.

Anyone who would like to ask about a lost cat, or the subsidised microchipping day should visit The Blue Cross animal adoption centre at Bubb Lane, West End, Southampton, Hants, SO30 2HL, call 023 8069 2894 or email southampton@bluecross.org.uk.

Media contact: Su Crown
Direct line: 0207 932 4066
Mobile: 07880 781 637

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.

Photos at the centre welcome, or available on request