Legal protection for domestic cats is a possibility, thanks
to an MP in Kent. Rehman Chishti, a Gillingham MP is leading a campaign that
will hopefully see cats treated the same as pet dogs. Dogs are currently protected
by law and this is useful as the dogs must now be microchipped. Additionally,
the police need to be informed if a dog is injured in a road accident.
Currently, neither of these laws apply to cats.
There are an estimated 11 million pet cats in the UK. They are largely loved by the population and the come in just beneath dogs as the most popular UK pet, according to PFMA. The Cats Bill will make it a legal requirement for all pet cats to be microchipped and have their details updated when changes occur.
We Recommend Microchipping Your Cat
Microchipping cats has been highly recommended for years, but it is down to the owner to decide if they want to do it or not. Having cats microchipped helps to reduce the number of lost cats as they are easier to detect and send home. A quick scan will show the contact information instantly, ensuring the family is reunited with their beloved pet cat.
Furthermore, if a cat is hit on the road there is no legal obligation to call the police to report the incident. As a result, many cat owners never learn about the fate of their feline friends. People are left not knowing if the cat ran away, got lost, stolen or if they were harmed while out wondering. The new law will help to inform owners of road traffic accidents, ending the worry and stress that come with not knowing.
The RSPCA have discussed the bill, starting that they would like to see all cats being microchipped. The RSPCA spokesperson also commented on the matter of enforcement of the Cats Bill if it’s approved. They are keen for clarification on the new laws to ensure they’ll be enforceable and work as they need to.
Would you like to see the same legal protection for cats as pet dogs receive? Let us know over on our Facebook page. Learn more about the Cats Bill, here.