TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Agriculture announced cat owners must register and microchip their cats beginning Jan. 1.

The MOA also extended the grace period of one year for cat owners. Those who have not completed the process by 2026 will be fined between NT$3,000-15,000 (US$92-460), per PTS.

The measure follows a similar practice for dog owners due to the growing number of strays throughout Taiwan. The number of cats registered with the Pet Registration Information System has increased significantly every year since 2021 and exceeds the number of new dog registrations.

Pet registration and microchips aid cat owners when their pet goes missing and is recovered, leading to quick identification and owner contact. The system only requires a simple scan and pet registration information such as mobile phone numbers and addresses of pet owners.

Cat owners are also no longer required to administer rabies vaccines at the same time when implanting a microchip in their cats.

Pet owners yet to complete their pet registration are advised to visit the Pet Registration Information System and take the pet to a designated registration facility, such as a veterinary clinic or hospital. Once pet registration is completed, pet owners will receive a pet registration certificate.

An online pet registration database also allows the public to use their mobile phone or computer to check the status of their pet registration and update related information.