From Franny Syufy,
Your Guide to Cats.
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Lost Cat - Reward

The headline never fails to cause a twinge of empathy in a cat lover. Nothing can approximate the emotions playing hopscotch through the mind of someone who has lost a cat: fear that you'll never see her again; fear that you will see her again-- a broken corpse thrown to the side of a road; paranoia that someone has stolen her; anger at the cat for escaping; guilt and remorse for allowing her escape; hope that any minute now you'll hear that familiar "meow" and she'll be waiting patiently at the front door; and that heavy, dull, empty feeling of loss.

Whether cats are of the indoor only variety or indoor-outdoor, the fact is that at one time or another, given the right conditions, they may disappear--for a few days, or for forever. There is much you can do to weigh the odds in your kitty's favor, should she every become lost.

Identify Your Cat

As the title of this article indicates, all cats need an identity. It does no good for a kindhearted stranger to take in your frightened, lost kitty, if he doesn't know how to locate her owner. It has been estimated that currently approximately nine million cats enter shelters annually, and only a sad 3% make it back to their own homes. Proper identification of these cats could greatly increase their odds, and it is up to us, their human companions and caretakers to see that they have that fighting chance.

It's the Law

Although the United States currently has no country-wide laws on pet identification, some countries do. The pilot program of the " Passport Scheme" in the U.K. involves the microchipping of pets coming in or returning to the country, to avoid the mandatory six month quarantine. This is an offshoot of the larger decision on microchipping of "foreign pets" placed on the market in member countries of the Commission of European Communities.

In April 1994 the Commission of European Communities made a decision that microchips should be used as the positive method of identification of dogs and cats placed on the market in the UK and Ireland which do not originate in those countries. Identichip is ideal for use in these animals as the network of scanners extends throughout Europe. Passports for pets is proposed for April 2000, animals will travel freely within EEC countries but your pet will need to be microchipped.
Identichip FAQ from Animal Kingdom

The Companion Animals Act affecting communities in Australia calls for the microchipping of all dogs and cats adopted new or whose ownership changes after July 1, 2000. Although previously owned cats are exempt from the law, their owners are encouraged to have them identified also. Excerpts from the law:

Any cat which is sold or given away and all kittens must be microchipped and lifetime registered from 1 July, 1999.

Owners of new cats must microchip and register their pets. This means having your cat microchipped first, then registering your cat with your local council.

The registering is important, because found registered cats will be kept at the pound for 14 days (as opposed to 7 for unregistered) and chipped cats will be scanned and their owners notified.

Next > Which ID Method is Best for my Cat?