FOI release

Stray cats

Case reference FOI2026/00710

Received 27 April 2026

Published 1 May 2026

Request

1. The number of stray cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025 2. The number of those stray cats that were microchipped in accordance with the regulations (The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023) 3. The number of deceased cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025 4. The number of those deceased cats whose owners were identified from a microchip 5. Are council tenants required to microchip their pet cats as part of their tenancy agreement? Y/N 6. The number of council tenants currently registered as owning a microchipped cat 7. The number of 21-day enforcement notices issued for failing to microchip a cat in the calendar year 2025 8. The number of cats handed over to the Authority for rescue or rehoming in 2025

Response

1.  The number of stray cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025 No information held, the Council does not collect stray cats.
  2.  The number of those stray cats that were microchipped in accordance with the regulations (The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023)  
N/A
  3.  The number of deceased cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025
12
  4.  The number of those deceased cats whose owners were identified from a microchip
0
  5.  Are council tenants required to microchip their pet cats as part of their tenancy agreement? Y/N
 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is a non-stock-holding local authority. However, we own a small portfolio of temporary accommodation and have implemented a temporary accommodation pet policy. The policy states that where permission is granted to keep a cat, the animal must be neutered and microchipped.
  6.  The number of council tenants currently registered as owning a microchipped cat
There are no households with cats currently living in any of the Council owned temporary accommodation
  7.  The number of 21-day enforcement notices issued for failing to microchip a cat in the calendar year 2025
The Council has the authority to enforce the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023. From a licensing perspective, if we went to a premises where a licensable activity was being carried on involving cats (i.e. cat breeding) we would discuss the requirements for the microchipping with the owner and then would follow up with a notice if not addressed. This has not happened - 0

  8.  The number of cats handed over to the Authority for rescue or rehoming in 2025 N/A

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.