Find out more about our manifesto for Wales to help cats.
In Wales, 29% of households have at least one cat, which is an estimated cat population of approximately 670,000*.
Cats are hugely popular pets providing love, affection and companionship. A recent survey showed that cats are the second most popular pet in Wales, with 39% of pet owners choosing to share their home with them.**
Our Manifesto for Cats: Wales calls for the licensing of air guns and a ban on the use of snares – both of which can cause pain and injury to cats. We’re also calling for measures to reduce the number of unwanted kittens as well as inclusion of animal welfare in the Welsh curriculum to ensure all children in Wales learn about responsible pet care.
The full Manifesto for Cats: Wales was launched in February 2016 at a reception in the Welsh Assembly for invited Assembly Members, animal welfare charities and other VIP guests. It is particularly important that we keep cat welfare on the political agenda.
Manifesto for Cats: Wales – in summary
The Manifesto for Cats: Wales forms part of Cats Protection’s advocacy work on “speaking up for cats,” campaigning for change that will deliver a better world for cats. There are many actions that the Welsh Government and local governments can do to ensure a better world for cats.
- Breeding of cats for sale: updating the law to control the breeding and sale of cats to reduce the number of unwanted kittens
- Microchipping: making it compulsory to microchip owned cats
- Regulating air guns: much stricter regulation of the ownership of air guns and crossbows to prevent injury or death to cats shot by such weapons
- Dangerous dogs: amendments to anti-social behaviour legislation to allow prosecution of dog owners, whose dogs attack, injure or kill cats
- Animal welfare education: inclusion of animal welfare in the Welsh curriculum so that all children learn about responsible pet care
- Cats and housing providers: Welsh Government recognition of the needs of people with cats or other companion animals in rented housing and care homes to allow people to keep their pets
- Care and wellbeing: Welsh Government recognition of the benefits cats and other companion animals bring to health and personal wellbeing
- Labelling toxic products: clear labelling of flowers, plants and household products that are toxic to cats so owners know which to avoid
- Banning snares: a ban on snares on the basis that they are inhumane and cruel and inflict suffering, injury or death upon animals
- Illegal imports: creating a national database to ensure that a central record is kept of all cats entering the UK legally so those entering illegally without a rabies vaccine can be identified without delay
What can I do?
Together we can help create a better world for cats.
Thank you for your help.
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