Policy and Welfare

Cat Welfare Legislation in Scotland

Scotland has introduced specific cat welfare protections including mandatory microchipping and is considering further cat-specific legislation.

Key Facts

Mandatory cat microchipping was introduced in Scotland in 2023
Animal Welfare Act equivalent in Scotland provides equal protection to England and Wales
Cat control legislation in Scotland differs from England regarding feral and stray management
Scotland has higher cat ownership per capita than England with corresponding welfare implications

Welfare Considerations

Mandatory microchipping improves welfare outcomes by enabling lost cats to be reunited with owners rather than entering the shelter system. Cats entering shelters as strays face the welfare costs of shelter environments unnecessarily when microchipping would allow direct reunion. The extension of welfare legislation to cat-specific issues reflects growing recognition of the scale of cat welfare challenges.

What You Can Do

Microchip all cats and keep registration details current
Support further cat-specific welfare legislation in Scotland and across the UK
Engage with consultations on proposed cat welfare regulations
Learn about responsible cat ownership requirements and share with other cat owners