We're urging cat owners to get their pets microchipped as we've seen a number of recent incidents in which cats could have been reunited with their owners quicker if they'd had microchips.

We're concerned that some cats coming into our care could already have homes, but the chance of finding their owners is almost impossible because they've not been microchipped.

Many cats come to us after being found injured, sick, abandoned or as victims of cruelty. Centre manager Lee Stewart said:

“Those cats that come into us sick or injured or as a result of a collision could actually have loving owners who are desperately missing them. But if they are not microchipped it proves really difficult to reunite them.

“This is why we are encouraging cat owners to please get their pets microchipped. It isn’t expensive and could help to reunite them with their pet if it becomes lost or even stolen.

“Many centres run special microchipping events and most vets can help as well. But even if your pet is microchipped you must remember to update your details if you ever move.”

Stapeley helps reunite owners with their cats, but as in the case of Jasmine (pictured above) it would have been much easier if she'd been chipped.

Jasmine came to us after being taken to a vet by a member of the public. Jasmine was blind but had a shave mark indicating she'd recently received veterinary treatment. However, despite phoning local vets to see if they recognised her we couldn't trace the owner.

We put an appeal in the local press as her blindness was due to high blood pressure and she needed medication. We also put up posters in the area where she was found. Her owner was traced after the story was run on a local paper’s Facebook page and a neighbour spotted Jasmine on it. She was reunited with her owner and microchipped before going home.

Then there was Tatchi a 17-year-old female cat who came to Stapeley after being spotted near Crewe railway station. She had a damaged tail needing urgent treatment.

She had a microchip but the details were out of date and her owners had moved away seven years ago. Luckily their dog was still registered at a local vet and we were able to trace them that way and reunite them with Tatchi.

And finally there was Tiger who was found in the rear bumper space of a car. The owners of the car lived in Sandbach but had just been for a meal in Spurstow. Luckily four-month-old Tiger was microchipped so he went home the next day.

All Stapeley's cats are neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before they go to new homes. We have many cats in our care so if you're looking for a new pet please take a look at our current list of cats and if you're interested in any of them call us on 0300 123 0748. The cattery is open 11.30am-3.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, but closed on Mondays.