JUNE is national microchipping month, and Hampshire animal care centres have been relaying the importance of chipping pets.

It comes as a report by the PDSA says that across the UK, 3.7 million cats are not microchipped, compared to five percent of dogs.

Mandatory microchipping of cats wasn’t included in new UK legislation last year, with cats more likely to go missing or get lost, according to the animal welfare organisation.

Now, care centres across the county have stated the importance not only of having a pet microchipped, but also keeping the information up to date.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Paul Williams, who is based at Fareham’s Stubbington Ark, said it gives lost pets the chance to be reunited with their owners.

He said: “The RSPCA would like to remind people to get their pets microchipped to give their lost pets the chance of returning home. It is also important to register the chip with a national database and update your contact details if you move or change phone number.”

The PDSA’s vet service, Vets4Pets, have stressed that cats are more likely to go missing than dogs.

Dr Huw Stacey, director of the service, said: “Cats are generally more independent pets, and many love to spend hours or even days at a time, exploring, roaming or hunting outdoors, away from human eyes.

“As long as the cat is microchipped, and the contact details registered against the chip are up to date, then their owner can be contacted and they will be happily reunited.”

According to the department for environment, food and rural affairs, 710,000 dogs were chipped following the introduction of the microchipping law in April last year.

Blue Cross, an animal rehoming charity, has also called for owners to ensure their pets remain safe with a microchip.

Kirsty Smith, rehoming supervisor at Blue Cross Southampton said: “It’s so sad because often this means that if the animal is someone’s pet, they’re very unlikely to be able to be reunited as we have no way of finding the owners.

“We desperately urge cat owners to be safe and microchip because we have seen how devastating it can be if they do go missing. We offer free microchipping afternoons every month at the Southampton rehoming centre. Our next session is on Wednesday.”