EU is planning a microchip requirement for 127 million cats-curse or blessing?

EU is planning a microchip requirement for 127 million cats-curse or blessing?

In the European Union, there is a heated topic: A proposal stipulates that all 127 million cats of the EU have to be marked with microchip. This plan has met with massive criticism. The turquoise EU member Alex Bernhuber warns of the financial burden for cat owners, since the costs for chip and registration can be up to 50 euros per animal. He sees the risk of a "bureaucracy monster" that could arise from this regulation and pleads for a voluntary labeling, as rumored by Kosmo .

On the other hand, Maggie Duckfellner, editor-in-chief of the "Krone" animal corner, is vehemently supported. She argues that the mandatory labeling of cats is urgently needed to relieve the suffering of many stray animals. She also sees advantages with regard to the responsibility of the pet owners: registration could help to stop the uncontrolled multiply of cats, especially at farms and in cases of "animal hoarding". According to Krone , the assignment of escaped cats to their owners is much easier if the owners also have to actively enter their data in the database.

The debate about the chip requirement takes on and could have far-reaching consequences for animal welfare. While critics lead the bureaucratic hurdles, the proactive side sees a decisive step towards better control and the protection of pets and abandoned cats. It will be crucial how the implementation of this regulation is designed in concrete terms and whether it actually contributes to the benefit of the animals or only generates additional bureaucracy.