MSPs Come Collectively to Assist Enhance Cat Welfare in Scotland

Practically 40 MSPs visited a Holyrood exhibition held by the charity Cats Safety to focus on how cats – and the individuals who look after them – might be higher protected in legislation.

The exhibition, sponsored by Marie McNair MSP, was attended by 38 politicians and was an opportunity to debate measures to enhance feline welfare in Scotland, together with the introduction of obligatory microchipping for pet cats and growing the supply of cat-friendly rented housing.

Cats Safety’s Advocacy & Authorities Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo mentioned: “Scotland is a nation of pet lovers and cats are a very well-liked pet, with practically one in 4 households proudly owning one. So it was nice to see so many politicians coming alongside to search out out what they’ll do to make sure cats obtain the safety in legislation that they deserve.

“Among the many key measures we mentioned was the necessity for obligatory microchipping of pet cats in Scotland. That is one thing which is able to quickly be launched for cats in England and it’s essential that Scottish cats should not left behind.

“We additionally talked about what MSPs can do to make sure there’s extra cat-friendly housing accessible within the non-public and social rented sectors. So many individuals now hire their properties but too many are being denied the possibility to personal a pet cat and we imagine this should change.”

In addition to discussing the charity’s campaigns, politicians additionally discovered extra about its hands-on work to help cats and the individuals who care about them, with employees from Cats Safety’s Veterinary, Behaviour and Neighborhood Engagement groups available to reply questions.

Cats Safety, the UK’s main feline welfare charity, has a Scottish community of 24 volunteer-run branches, three adoption centres and 9 charity retailers, which additionally provide recommendation on cat care. In 2022, the charity rehomed 2,500 cats in Scotland and helped neuter 11,100 cats and microchip 4,400 cats.

To seek out out extra about Cats Safety, please go to www.cats.org.uk