Tag: Cats Protection

Letter to the Editor: Cats need sun protection too

Dear Letters Editor,

This Sun Awareness Week (12-18 May) we would like to remind cat owners that it’s not only humans that need sun protection as the weather heats up, but cats too, especially those with pale or thin fur.

At Cats Protection we often take cats into our care who have been out in the sun for extended periods and have developed cancerous cells as a result. Cats with unpigmented ears or noses are susceptible to skin cancer through sun damage and we know that a third of all skin cancers that are presented in cats are due to sun exposure.

We recently treated all-white cat Gracie’s sun damaged ears which had become burned and painful, leading to the development of skin cancer.

The treatment she needed was the complete removal of her ear flaps.

Thankfully she has made an excellent recovery and has been successfully rehomed, however this could easily have been a different outcome if the cancer had developed further.

There are some simple tips that can help protect cats in the sun including:

  • Keeping your cat indoors when the sun is at its hottest, typically between 10am and 3pm
  • Speaking to a vet about a suitable sunscreen for your cat
  • Ensuring there is outdoor shade, such as boxes or plant pots placed close together
  • Providing outdoor water to avoid the risk of your cat becoming dehydrated.

The Cats Protection website has plenty more tips and guidance for keeping cats safe during warm weather  – www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/cats-and-warm-weather   

Yours faithfully

Sarah Elliott BVetMed MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) MRCVS

Central Veterinary Officer, Cats Protection

Charity urges Scottish Government not to forget cats as new Dog Theft Bill is introduced

The introduction of the Dog Theft Bill is a significant step forward for dog welfare, but Cats Protection is deeply concerned that cats have been overlooked in this important legislation, leaving thousands of Scottish pet owners without the same legal protections.

Alice Palombo, Advocacy Officer for Cats Protection, said: “For too long, the theft of beloved pets has been treated no differently than the theft of any other personal property.

“This Bill is a huge development in recognising dogs as sentient beings with strong emotional bonds to their owners, ensuring that this is considered when sentencing. Scotland is a nation of animal-lovers, and it is disappointing that the same logic has not been applied to cats and other pets.”

The new Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill acknowledges that the theft of a dog causes loss to both the owner and the dog itself. Furthermore, the penalties for stealing assistance dogs will be more severe, reflecting the vital services they provide to their owners. But the charity asks – what about cats?

Alice continues: “The theft of a cat is no different than the theft of a dog, it causes the same emotional impact for owners and distress for their stolen pet. Despite this, under this Bill, cat owners will not receive the same protections as dog owners.

“While we acknowledge that Maurice Golden MSP, who has proposed this Bill, hopes that it will act as a catalyst for wider reform and future legislation, cat owners should not have to wait years for the same legal protections that dog owners will immediately benefit from.

“The promise of a government review in years to come offers little comfort to the thousands of families who have already suffered the heartbreak of a stolen cat.

“We urge the Scottish Government to take immediate action, not wait for a review of the Act in five years’ time, but by introducing specific protections for cats and indeed other pets in this legislation. All pet owners deserve equal recognition under the law which we believe is essential for improving animal welfare in Scotland.”

Cats Protection welcomes call for compulsory microchipping in Scotland

Cats Protection welcomes the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC)’s recently published report on responsible ownership and care of domestic cats in Scotland, supporting its microchipping recommendations to improve cat welfare across Scotland.

Advocacy Officer for Cats Protection, Alice Palombo, said: “We are delighted that SAWC has recommended the introduction of legislation for compulsory microchipping and the registration of owned cats in Scotland.

“This would be a vital step in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pet cats, one that Cats Protection has long campaigned for.

“Animal welfare charities take in thousands of unchipped cats every year, and Scotland has the second lowest microchipping rates in the UK at 72%. This legislation will help reunite lost cats with their owners, reduce the number of unowned and stray cats, while also reducing the burden on our teams.

“Trying to find the owners of unchipped cats often takes up valuable space in our pens – space that could otherwise be used for cats in urgent need.”

The charity further supports the development of a centralised database to simplify the registration process, giving an efficient way for pet owners, veterinary professionals, and animal welfare organisations to search for cats when needed.

In addition to legislative measures, SAWC has recommended that Scottish Ministers implement a public education programme to encourage voluntary microchipping and registration ahead of legal requirements.

Alice continues: “The combination of compulsory microchipping and a centralised registration system will be a game-changer for cat welfare in Scotland.

“A public education initiative will be crucial in raising awareness among cat owners and the wider public about the importance of responsible pet ownership.

“We hope Scottish Ministers do take action by implementing these proposals as soon as possible, which we believe are essential for improving cat welfare.”

Letters: National Cat Awards

Dear Editor

Cats Protection invites cat owners to nominate their pets for the UK’s biggest celebration of cats – the National Cat Awards. 

The event recognises our special relationship with cats, honouring heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and friendship.

As one of the nation’s favourite pets, cats bring fun, comfort and companionship to millions of people. They live alongside us in all sorts of ways, from the sociable cat who greets all the neighbours to the homely lap-cat on our sofa.

Entries opened on 15 January and owners have until noon on 28 February to nominate their cat in one of four categories:

Family cats: For cats who make a family complete, whether it’s being there for companionship, providing solace in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.

Incredible cats – Recognising cats with a remarkable tale – maybe they’ve survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure, raised the alarm to an emergency or even saved a life.

Senior cats – Celebrating cats aged 11 or over, who showcase why older cats are special.

Connected Cats – For cats who share the love and bring joy to people far and wide whether in the community, workplace or social media.

Owners or colleagues can also nominate a vet who has provided exceptional care for a cat in the Vet of the Year category.

The public will get a chance to vote for their favourite cats, with their owners invited to a  star-studded ceremony in London on 24 September where the winners will be revealed.

To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards

Yours faithfully,

Catherine Cottrell,

Cats Protection Director of Marketing & Income Generation

Take a peek into world of animal welfare this Scottish Careers Week

A peek into the world of working in animal welfare is being offered to students as part of Scottish Careers Week (11-15 November).

Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, is hosting a one-off free live event aimed at anyone over the age of 11.

The charity’s Education team is inviting teachers, lecturers and other education providers to sign up for the unique learning experience being hosted on  to sign up for the talk being hosted on Wednesday, 13 November from 1.45-2.45pm.

Coming live from Cats Protection Scotland Cat Centre in Glasgow, the session will see Community Education Officer Alison Cameron-Russell chatting to staff about their roles and their varied career paths into animal welfare.

Attendees will also be taken on a virtual tour of the centre, meeting the cats in care and seeing what goes on behind the scenes at a busy adoption centre.

Alison said: “It’s going to be a fun, engaging and informative event to inspire young people about the roles available working within a centre at an animal charity, and as an added bonus our audience get to see cats and kittens!

“There are so many rewarding jobs and volunteer opportunities that people may not realise exist, and this talk will offer a window into the fascinating world of animal welfare and the affects people can have in giving cats a better life. The talk is not just open to students so if you’re considering a job change and would like to explore animal welfare sign up.”

Classes, groups, and individuals can sign up to the live session knowing they have been devised to help young people understand and develop their career aspirations.

Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-careers-week-live-cat-centre-tour-tickets-1005150782047?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Talks can also be arranged outside of Scottish Careers Week for young people of all ages. For more information visit www.education.cats.org.uk or email education@cats.org.uk.

Letter: Players of People’s Postcode Lottery support kittens in need

Dear Editor, 

With kitten season now in full swing across the UK, I would like to say a huge thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for helping us look after kittens and cats in need. 

Last year we saw a 14% increase in unwanted litters coming into our care. This summer and beyond, we anticipate hundreds of kittens needing to be looked after by our expert teams.  

We work hard to be there for every cat that needs us. For mother cats and kittens, this includes extra food to keep cats’ energy levels high after giving birth as well as regular veterinary check-ups for mum and her litter. Our teams also hand-feed newborn kittens if the mother isn’t producing enough milk. 

This is why we are so grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for raising more than £9.9 million to support the work of Cats Protection since 2018. Together we are making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats. 

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or support Cats Protection, or seeking advice on cat welfare, can find out more at cats.org.uk  

Yours sincerely, 

John May 

Chief Executive, Cats Protection 

Pet charities unite to issue hot weather warning to cat and dog owners

Cats Protection and Dogs Trust have joined forces to help owners keep their cats and dogs safe in the sun this summer.

The two leading pet charities say that despite their different quirks and behaviours, cats and dogs are equally as vulnerable when it comes to hot weather.

Alison Richards, Head of Clinical Services for Cats Protection, said: “We’re a nation of pet lovers and whether you’re a cat person or a dog person – or maybe a bit of both – you’ll want to keep your pet safe this summer.

“Many pets love to enjoy the great outdoors, but it’s important to bear in mind that very hot weather can put them at risk of illness and injury.”

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, says: “The sunshine might be great for us, however hot weather can cause problems for our canine friends. 

“Dogs can’t regulate their body heat in the same way as humans, so extra care needs to be taken, especially when exercising or travelling in the car. In this weather, there is no safe amount of time to leave your dog alone in the car, even if you leave the window open.  

“The good news is that steps can be taken to prevent our dogs suffering, such as only walking dogs in the coolest parts of the day, reducing their exercise, ensuring dogs have access to somewhere cool and shady to lay down and making sure they always have access to fresh water.”

The two charities have come up with a checklist to help owners keep cats and dogs safe this summer:  

  • Be sun safe: Very hot weather can cause serious injuries in both cats and dogs.  Dogs walked on tarmac can suffer painful burns to their paws, so it’s important to check the ground on warm days. You can do this by holding your hand to the ground for five seconds – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. While cats will generally find themselves a cool spot on hot days, it’s important to remember they can suffer sunburn and develop skin cancer. Cats with white ears are particularly at risk, so speak to your vet about suitable suncream.  
  • Keep cool: Heatstroke can be serious for both cats and dogs and in some cases, it can be fatal. It’s a good idea to keep your pet indoors between 10am and 3pm on hot days and wait until it’s cooler in the evening to walk dogs or let cats outside. Even in mild temperatures, the biggest cause of heatstroke in dogs is exercise. In both cats and dogs, brachycephalic breeds – those with flat faces such as pugs or Persian cats – will be at increased risk of heatstroke, as their short facial structure can cause breathing difficulties and make it harder for them to keep cool. Kittens, puppies and elderly cats and dogs will also be at higher risk, as will those which have underlying health conditions.  
  • Signs of heatstroke: Cats or dogs suffering with heatstroke will need urgent veterinary treatment, so owners should be familiar with the signs. For both cats and dogs, this can include heavy breathing or panting, excessive drooling, diarrhoea, confusion, restlessness, vomiting, being drowsy and collapsing. If you suspect your pet has been affected by heatstroke, call your vet immediately for advice.   
  • Water and shade: Just like humans, cats and dogs can easily become dehydrated in hot weather, so make sure they have plenty of fresh water. Pop an extra water bowl in the garden if your pet is outdoors a lot, and make sure pets always have access to shade.
  • Be plant aware: Some garden plants can be highly poisonous, so take a look around the garden to see if there’s anything which may pose a risk to your pet. Lilies are particularly dangerous for cats, and ingesting just a small amount of pollen can be fatal.
  • Garden hazards: Most cats and dogs love spending more time in the garden in warm weather, so take a few minutes every week to check its safe for them. Check fences for any broken panels which dogs can escape from, or any sharp edges which may catch your pet. If you keep chemicals, engine oils or antifreeze in your shed, make sure these cannot be reached by inquisitive pets, as these can be toxic.
  • Never leave pets in cars: Pets should never be left alone in cars as even just a few minutes in a hot car can prove fatal. As cats and dogs can’t cool down the same way as humans, the heat can quickly become dangerous for them.   If you see a pet in a car in distress, call 999 immediately.  

For more information on keeping cats and dogs safe this summer, visit:

 cats.org.uk or dogstrust.org.uk

Letter: Don’t leave Scotland behind on animal welfare

Dear Editor

TODAY (10th June) an important new cat welfare law will come into effect – but only for pet cats in England. This new legislation will mean all pet cats in England must be microchipped, ensuring they have the best possible chance to be reunited with their owners if they go missing or are injured.

Cats Protection is campaigning to make sure cats in Scotland are not left behind on this important feline welfare issue. Figures from our Cats and Their Stats report 2023 shows over a quarter of cats in Scotland – around 240,000 – are currently not microchipped.

This means that if they become lost they may never be returned home, and their owners may never know what has happened to them. It also puts a strain on Scottish animal charities, who may end up rehoming stray cats because they’re unable to trace their owner.

Animal welfare is a devolved issue, and we’re urging the Scottish Government to take action to introduce compulsory microchipping of pet cats. In addition to the new law for cats in England, microchipping has been compulsory for dogs in Scotland since 2016.

As a nation of animal lovers, we must ensure that animal welfare standards in Scotland keep up with the rest of the UK.

To find out how to support our campaign, please visit cats.org.uk/campaigning

Yours sincerely

Alice Palombo

Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland

Letters: Volunteers Week and Big Help Out

Dear Editor

This June brings two celebrations of the amazing work carried out by people who give up their spare time to help charities across the UK. Cats Protection will be marking these events – Volunteers Week (3-9 June) and The Big Help Out (7-9 June) – by saying a huge thank you to our 9,000 volunteers who help 157,000 cats every year.

From hands-on cat care, helping in our shops or running fundraising events, Cats Protection volunteers make an incredible difference to help cats and their owners. Thanks to them, we’re able to rehome around 30,000 cats every year, run services to support cat owners fleeing domestic abuse and those grieving the loss of a cat, and campaign for better animal welfare legislation.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and all ages, united by a shared love of cats. We’re always happy to welcome new volunteers, whether it’s a one-off for a couple of hours or a long-term slot.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and make a difference in the community.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities at Cats Protection, please visit cats.org.uk/volunteering

Yours sincerely

Julie Meredith 

Head of Volunteering, Organisational Engagement and Inclusion

People and Culture

Cats Protection 

Letters: Saving our Songbirds

Dear Editor

With spring in the air, Cats Protection and Songbird Survival have teamed up to offer advice on the best ways to help reduce hunting of songbirds by pet cats in the hope of protecting the threatened population.

A survey of 1,000 cat owners, conducted by Songbird Survival, revealed almost half of cat owners (46%) aren’t aware of ways to reduce cat predation. 

Hunting is a natural, innate behaviour for cats and they feel driven to do it. Not all cats hunt and it generally reduces as they age. However, just a few simple strategies can protect birds and benefit your cat’s welfare too.

Spring is a particularly vulnerable time for songbirds as we are in the nesting and breeding season, which runs up to July as they gather materials to make nests and fledglings begin to leave their nests.

It’s important to protect songbird populations from decline and cat owners and bird lovers alike can make a big difference by putting up nest boxes as well as not using pesticides in their gardens.

Top tips for reducing hunting:

  • Play with your cat for 5-10 minutes every day as it allows them to exhibit their natural hunting behaviour and reduces their motivation to seek out prey. Pick out a toy that mimics prey movement – such as a fishing-rod toy    
  • Feed cats with a premium, meat-rich food as it’s been scientifically shown to reduce hunting tendencies 
  • Keep cats in at night to help songbird populations and to reduce the chances of your cat being involved in a road traffic accident.

For further advice, please visit Songbird Survival’s Get EduCated campaign at https://songbirdsos.org/get-educated or Cats Protection’s website at www.cats.org.uk/garden-and-outdoors  

Yours faithfully,

Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection Behaviour Manager

Susan Morgan, CEO of Songbird Survival