The government has announced that a new compulsory microchipping law for cats is set to be introduced in the UK.
Under the new plans – which were proposed this week – all cat owners must ensure their pet is microchipped and their contact details are stored before they reach the age of 20 weeks, and must keep them up to date in a pet microchipping database.
Owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a fine of up to £500.
The new microchipping rules – which the government says will mean that lost or stray pet cats are more likely to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely – is said to follow a call for evidence and consultation on the issue by the government, where 99% of respondents supported the measure.
According to recent statistics, there are over 10.8 million pet cats in the UK, with as many as 2.8 million of those un-chipped.
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Eight out of 10 stray cats coming into Cats Protection’s centres are also not microchipped.
Following years of campaigning from Cats Protection and tens of thousands of our supporters, the government has today announced that microchipping of pet cats will be made compulsory! #MicrochipsReunite 🐾 pic.twitter.com/mH3IcPZmqQ
Speaking on the new mandatory law, Lord Goldsmith – Animal Welfare Minister – said: “Cats are much-loved parts of our families and making sure that they’re microchipped is the best possible way of making sure that you are reunited with them if they are ever lost or stolen.
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“These new rules will help protect millions of cats across the country.”
Jacqui Cuff – Head of Advocacy & Government Relations at Cats Protection – added: “Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost cats and can help ease the pressure on rescue charities like Cats Protection.
“Without a microchip, a lost cat will most likely end up being rehomed to a new home as there is often no trace of their original owner.”
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There are over 10.8 million pet cats in the UK, with as many as 2.8 million of those un-chipped / Credit: Flickr
The government has said it is also carrying out a review of the regulations on dog microchipping, and the related microchipping database systems – which has been the subject of much critique by vets, pet owners, and animal welfare campaigners over the years and in recent days – to consider whether improvements can be made.
The new cat microchipping rules will be implemented once this review has completed.
According to the government, this will ensure that any changes to the operation of the microchipping regime are brought in at the same time as the new microchipping rules for cats.
Featured Image – Unsplash
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Netflix drops the first trailer for upcoming Peaky Blinders film
Danny Jones
It looks like Christmas has come early for TV drama fans and cinephiles, because Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.
Popcorn at the ready – even the teaser alone has got us fired up.
ln just 70 seconds, they’ve managed to pull us right back in, and we cannot wait to see Cillian Murphy back in full-on Tommy Shelby mode.
Not exaggerating when we say we have LITERAL chills.
As you can see, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the budget with the first-ever feature-length Peaky Blinders film, neither in terms of production value nor the cast.
Then again, having already hosted the likes of Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy and others in the series itself, as well as going on to become one of the most successful BBC shows of all time, they were never going to.
We’re sure you spotted plenty of them for yourselves, but the debut trailer for The Immortal Man gives us not only our first glimpses of now Oscar-winning Murphy, 49, back in the saddle (both figuratively and literally) but also fellow blockbuster Irish actor, Barry Keoghan.
Other big names set to appear in the movie – set for a limited release in theatres before launching exclusively on Netflix – include Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. It still remains unclear, however, as to how any of these characters will knit into the new season.
It’s also worth noting that the trailer shares a little snippet of the historical context, this continuation of the Shelby story is playing into, as we see what looks to be Nazi figures meeting on screen.
Creator Steven Knight has already confirmed that the plot will fast-forward some years to meet back up with Tommy at the outset of WWII and his ancestral home of Birmingham during the Blitz.
Having already confirmed 6 March as the theatrical release date ahead of it going live on Netflix a fortnight later, the anticipation was seriously starting to ramp; this latest look has only added to the tinderbox of excitement.
What do you make of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man trailer, and will you be watching it?
Appeal to find two individuals after man is left with ‘serious head and face injuries’ in Altrincham attack
Danny Jones
Trafford Police are trying to find two men following an attack outside a takeaway in Altrincham earlier this year.
The incident, which took place outside Canada Grill on Railway Street a couple of months ago, has left one individual with serious.
Reported to have occurred at around 2am on Sunday, 19 October, the identity of the pair who have since been revealed on CCTV footage is still unknown.
You can see both male suspects pictured below.
#APPEAL | Can you help us identify these men as we believe they can help with our investigation of an assault at Canada Grill, #Altrincham on 19/10/25 at 2am?
The victim has serious injuries to their head and face
Since shared by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at large on social media, officers investigating the case are appealing for anyone who recognises them to come forward.
While the exact extent of the damage done and the condition of the other person involved in the altercation has not been fully disclosed, they are believed to have been left with significant “head and facial injuries”.
Emily Sergeant -
9th December 2021 
