They can’t afford �5 to get their pet micro-chipped.

Pet owners in Honiton are snubbing a discount micro-chipping scheme that could save them �20.

Times are so tough, it would appear that even the �5 cost of micro-chipping a cat or kitten is too much for many to pay.

Honiton Cats Protection is running a three month discount scheme in the EX14 postcode area and says the take up, so far, has been “very poor”.

“It is amazing how many people are declining the offer of a micro-chip for �5,” said the charity’s local spokeswoman, Lizzie Manley. “The vet would charge around �25 for this.

“Micro-chipping a cat means that, should it stray or get lost or even stolen, a quick scan by a vet or a Cats Protection volunteer will ensure the cat is quickly reunited with the owner.”

Mrs Manley added: “I am disappointed that so many people have said no.

“Add to that, we are again knee deep in unwanted kittens. I myself have four here and we are getting requests on a daily basis to take in kittens.”