Microchip Adoption Among Pets: 50% of Dogs vs. 30% of Cats: Survey by PS Insurance

Following the amendment of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals in June 2022, microchipping became mandatory for dog and cat breeders in Japan. Four years later, Pet Medical Support, provider of PS Insurance, surveyed 1,691 pet owners to understand the current situation.

Key Findings: - Over 30% of owners are unaware of the legal obligations. - Adoption rate is 50% for dogs and slightly over 30% for cats. - Main reasons for non-adoption: Dog owners worry about health effects; cat owners feel it is unnecessary for indoor pets. - More than 60% of owners support the mandate.

The detailed analysis indicates that while a significant portion of owners are aware of the legal requirements, roughly 30–40% remain entirely unaware. Notably, many cat owners believe microchipping is unnecessary due to their pets being kept strictly indoors.