Adopting a rehomed cat or kitten in British Columbia is exciting, but it comes with responsibility. Ensuring a microchip is registered and ownership is correctly transferred protects your new pet and gives you peace of mind. Learn what steps to take as an adopter to secure your cat’s permanent ID and avoid common pitfalls.
British Columbia Cats and Kittens for Rehoming: A Guide to Microchip and Registration
Adopting a cat or kitten in British Columbia is a joyful experience. However, ensuring your new pet’s microchip is registered and ownership is properly transferred is crucial. While shelters and rescue organizations often handle this, it is ultimately your responsibility as the new owner to confirm the registration and update your contact information. Taking these steps helps protect your pet and ensures you can be reached if they go missing.
Whether adopting directly from a previous owner or a shelter, ownership transfer is essential. If the previous owner doesn’t transfer ownership, the microchip may still be linked to them. This mistake can make it difficult to reclaim your pet if they get lost. If the pet is registered with the BC Pet Registry, always complete the transfer online or via filling out the transfer form while still in communication with the previous owner.
Sometimes a rehomed cat may already have a microchip that is not registered. In these cases, you can register the microchip directly with the BC Pet Registry, which accepts all microchip brands. Registering ensures that your contact information is associated with your pet’s permanent ID. It is important to note that not all registries are the same, learn more here.
Why Checking Microchip Registration Matters
Microchip registration guarantees that you can be contacted if your cat goes missing. Even if your cat is microchipped, it won’t help you if the information is outdated or still linked to someone else. Checking your pet’s registration status ensures that you have taken full responsibility as a new owner. This step is especially important for cats rehomed outside of shelters, as they may not automatically complete the transfer for you.
Tips for Adopters of Cats and Kittens in British Columbia
- Confirm the microchip number before adoption.
- Verify ownership transfer immediately with the previous owner or shelter.
- Update your contact information in the registry.
- Directly register an unregistered microchip with BC Pet Registry if necessary.
- Consider adopting from the BC SPCA for safe and responsible rehoming: BC SPCA Adoption.
By following these steps, you protect your new cat or kitten and support responsible pet ownership in your community. Remember, a microchip is only effective if it is correctly registered and up-to-date.
FAQs
1. Do I need to check a cat’s microchip when adopting?
Yes. Always verify that the microchip is registered and the ownership is correctly transferred.
2. What if the microchip isn’t registered?
You can directly register the microchip with BC Pet Registry, regardless of the microchip brand.
3. How do I transfer ownership from a previous owner?
Complete the transfer while still in communication with the previous owner to ensure the microchip reflects your contact info. Don’t forget to also transfer the tattoo code to your name too! For transfer form and full details, read this blog.
4. Are shelters responsible for updating microchip info?
Shelters and rescues usually handle registration, but adopters should confirm that the information is accurate and up-to-date.
5. Do I have to pay to transfer the cat into my name?
No. One of the core benefits of the BC Pet Registry is that ownership transfers are included with the original registration fee. There is no additional charge to update the registered owner.
We do require proof of ownership to complete the transfer, but once that’s provided, the process is free and straightforward.
