On 1 January 2020 the feline registry was born in Lombardy and with it the obligation to equip cats born , adopted or bought from that date with microchips. The provision is provided for by the Integrated Regional Plan for Veterinary Public Health 2019-2023 and has no retroactive value. 

The risk of cats leaving the house unintentionally and getting lost is often high due to their propensity to move to non-domestic areas. Therefore, the decision to make the microchip mandatory is aimed at reducing possible losses, as well as decreasing the phenomenon of straying and the eventual abandonment of these animals. 

What is the microchip and how is it applied

The microchip is a particular integrated circuit that is inserted under the skin (almost painlessly) to allow the identification of an animal (generally  dogs and cats ). The application does not require a particular sedation, moreover the inserted device does not cause allergic reactions or discomfort to the animal.  

This device has small dimensions, an indicative application cost under 50 euros and must be inserted by a veterinarian registered with the professional association . In addition, each microchip has a unique 15-digit identification code that indicates the animal’s country of origin, its data and those of the owner.  

Mandatory microchip in Lombardy

The data contained in the microchip, therefore, are recorded and entered in a special database of the registry (feline or canine) in order to be consulted in case of loss, loss or abandonment . 

The municipal police, the ASL and veterinarians, in fact, can have access to information in case of need.  

Lombardy was the first Italian region to make the microchip mandatory for cats . In the rest of the country, in fact, applying the device is discretionary and optional, as long as the feline does not have to travel by plane or does not need a European passport or a special travel document . In this case, in fact, the microchip is still mandatory.