Cats Coverage – the United Kingdom’s greatest cat charity – set out its priorities for making improvements to cat welfare in the United Kingdom at a parliamentary inquiry into puppy welfare and abuse.
The charity’s Director of Tom cat Welfare Dr Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS gave proof on 4 July to the Atmosphere, Meals and Rural Affairs Make a selection Committee, which is thinking about the post-pandemic well being and welfare of better half animals, together with abuse and mutilation.
Dr Roberts raised a large number of problems of shock when it comes to puppy cats, together with the will for cat breeding licensing, the well being and welfare issues related to excessive breeds such because the Scottish Fold and Munchkin, and the life-long ache suffered by means of cats that have been declawed.
She additionally raised the will for cats to be integrated in any adjustments to puppy shuttle laws and puppy abduction.
Dr Roberts stated: “I used to be happy to be invited as a professional witness to the inquiry to speak about the problems Govt can cope with to verify cats are given the safety in legislation they deserve. There are round 11 million owned cats in the United Kingdom, an building up of round 200,000 since 2021, so it’s transparent they’re turning into an an increasing number of in style puppy following the pandemic.
“Unfortunately there are nonetheless some distance too many unscrupulous breeders, who care extra about benefit than welfare. Kittens bred in deficient welfare prerequisites are all too ceaselessly in poor health or poorly socialised, which is able to go away them with lifelong well being and behavioural issues, and go away new house owners with prime vet expenses. Because of this Cats Coverage is looking for the Govt to push ahead with the licensing of cat breeding to verify the well being and welfare of cats and their kittens is best safe.”
Cats Coverage is the United Kingdom’s main tom cat welfare charity and has helped a median of 157,000 cats and kittens a yr over the past 5 years via its nationwide community which incorporates round 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.