Taipei: Cat owners in Taiwan will soon face fines of up to NT$15,000 (US$477) if they fail to microchip their pets, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). This regulation, set to take effect from January 1, 2026, aims to enhance pet management and owner accountability.

According to Focus Taiwan, the new requirement follows a 2024 amendment to the Animal Protection Act, which already mandates microchipping for dogs. Since 2008, dog owners have been required to microchip and register their pets under the same act, with penalties ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$15,000 for non-compliance. This regulation has now been extended to include cat owners, although enforcement will begin in 2026.

The latest MOA pet census indicates that there were approximately 1.31 million cats in Taiwan as of 2023. By 2024, voluntary microchipping initiatives led by animal rights and environmental groups resulted in 146,430 domestic cats being microchipped. This figure increased to 164,388 after a year of awareness campaigns under the updated regulations.

The MOA emphasizes that the microchipping requirement is designed to enhance owner responsibility and prevent issues such as pet abandonment and illegal breeding. Additionally, microchipping will aid in the recovery of lost pets and enable authorities to verify whether cats have been spayed or neutered.