Owners must microchip their cats starting in 2028

Starting January 1, 2028, all newly born cats in the Netherlands will be subject to a mandatory microchipping law. State Secretary Silvio Erkens introduced this measure to address the high number of lost pets, with approximately 62,500 cats going missing annually. Currently, only 10 percent of these lost animals are reunited with their owners, and the government aims to emulate the success seen with dog microchipping, which has allowed the Dierenbescherming to return 90 percent of found dogs to their homes.

The implementation is considered complex, but owners will be responsible for the microchipping process, which typically costs between 25 and 55 euros. The government will not reimburse these costs, as officials view it as a standard responsibility of pet ownership. While the mandate excludes existing cats and strays, the state secretary believes the policy will significantly reduce animal suffering by facilitating quicker reunions and providing closure for owners if their pets are found deceased.