Identification

Identification gives each cat a unique number registered in a national database.

All cats should be identified so that if your pet is lost, stolen, or hurt, it is easier to find you, the owner. This is of course preferable to being taken to the pound, or even euthanised.

Why have your cat identified?

By their nature, cats are independent. Without identification, it is difficult to find the cat's owner if the animal is lost or injured. When you have your cat identified, you also protect yourself  and your family against the sorrow of losing your pet and not knowing what has happened to your companion.

Identification facilitates research in cases of  lost or stolen cats, helps in the combat against trafficking of animals and the capture of cats for experimentation, and makes sure the animal is re-united with the owner if impounded, thereby avoiding euthanasia. Identification is obligatory in many circumstances.

Cats that are identified can be returned to their owner if they are captured in stray cat population control programmes  run by municipalities.

Identification is obligatory

Identification of all cats over seven months of age born after 1 January 2012 is mandatory. Identification is also required before any change in ownership of a cat (whether the cat is given away for free or sold) regardless of age, and this procedure is paid by the person selling or giving away the animal. Identification is also required to before a cat is vaccinated against rabies and  issued with a  European passport.

The association Les amis des chats are obliged to  identify stray cats (either in the name of the association, or in the name of the local council) that are trapped, sterilised and returned to the site of capture in municipalities where the association is authorized to act under a byelaw.

Forms of identification

Identification gives each cat a unique number listed in the national French register. Remember to notify the register of any change concerning your contact details (address, telephone, email).

In France and to enter France there are two methods to have your cat identified: microchip and tattoo. Whatever the method, the number must be legible and must be accompanied by the identification card.

To travel in Europe, identification by microchip is obligatory for all newly identified cats and to enter certain countries: Ireland, Malta, UK, Sweden and Finland.

The microchip is simply injected under the skin in the neck and no anesthesia is required. The identification number is read using a special reader or scanner.

The identification number is recorded in a national database of the country where the identification was done. These records do not cover Europe, but are national. We urge pet owners coming to France to register  their cat and its identification number in the French system so that your pet will be easier to find if lost. Your veterinarian will advise you on what to do.

The other method of identification is tattooing (see photo left) but this is done less and less often. The tattoo consists of seven letters and numbers. The inside of the cat's ear is tattooed under general anesthesia. Tattoo is not recognized outside of France.

Finally, a cat can wear a collar marked with the telephone number of the owner. But this form of identification is not recommended because the cat can be injured if the colla is displaced, and this form of identification is not recognized in law.

The association “Les amis des chats” advises you to have your cats identified.