A PETITION calling for councils to scan deceased cats for microchips has been making waves in Swindon.

Town pet-lovers have flocked to sign a petition to make it law that councils have to scan dead cats for microchips when they are brought in.

The petition, launched last year by Mandy Lowe, has already attracted more than 50,000 signatures, and touched the hearts of Swindon cat fans.

Swindon Borough Council are one of the authorities who routinely scan dead cats found on public land.

After her beloved feline vanished without trace Mandy said she was determined to make sure other pet owners wouldn’t have to go through the same turmoil that she had.

“I put posters up and asked around but I never knew what happened. I needed that closure but I didn’t get it,” she said.

“When a cat is hit and killed by a vehicle, it is devastating for their owners.

“But sometimes, when a cat goes missing, its owners may never find out if they are lost or have been killed in a road accident. There is no closure for the owners and their feelings of loss may go on and on.

“It is heart-breaking not knowing what happened to a beloved pet. If this becomes law more owners will get answers.

Mandy, who owns three rescue cats Coco, Lucky and Kwatile, said she was delighted that Swindon cat fans had signed the petition.

“Cats are a part of the family and sometimes they can be forgotten about," she said.

"I’m pleased that so many people in Swindon have got behind this.”

Each time the petition is signed a letter is sent to the sender's local council. Mandy hopes the collective effort will prompt a change in law and see microchip scanning become standard practice in local authorities.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We already implement the policy outlined by the petitioner as we routinely scan any dead cats that are found on public land if they have a micro-chip so we can return the animal to its owner. The same policy applies to dogs.

“Cats that are found without a micro-chip will be held by the council for seven days and we would encourage owners who have lost their pets to contact us in the first instance so we can check if we have their pet.

“Cats that are found on private property are the responsibility of the land owner and our advice would be to take the animal to the nearest vet who can scan it and hold the cat in case the owner comes forward.

“There are a number of ways to report pets which have been lost of found.

“The Cats Protection League operates a lost and found register for cats.

“They can also check to see if a cat has been reported in a traffic accident.

“Further information is available from swindon.cats.org.uk

To sign the petition visit thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/takeaction/838/920/673/