Taipei: Taiwanese cat owners who neglect to microchip their pets could soon face fines of up to 15,000 Taiwanese dollars ($477), aligning with existing regulations for dog owners, as announced by the Agriculture Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the extension of this mandate to cat owners is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with penalties for non-compliance following shortly thereafter.

The Animal Protection Act, in place since 2008, initially targeted dog owners, requiring them to microchip and register their pets, with fines ranging from 3,000 ($95) to 15,000 Taiwanese dollars for those who fail to comply. This legislation was expanded to include cat owners in 2025, with the official announcement made in December 2024.

As per the latest pet census conducted by the ministry, Taiwan housed approximately 1.31 million cats in 2023. By 2024, voluntary initiatives by animal rights and environmental groups had successfully microchipped around 146,430 domestic cats. Following a year of awareness campaigns, the number increased to 164,388.

The microchipping requirement is intended to boost owner responsibility, curb pet abandonment, and prevent illegal breeding practices, according to the ministry. Additionally, it aids in the recovery of lost pets and allows authorities to verify if animals have been spayed or neutered.