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.
Preventing homelessness and strengthening tenants’ rights
New legislation which aims to keep people in their homes and help prevent homelessness has been published.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill will introduce an ‘ask and act’ duty on social landlords and bodies, such as health boards and the police, to ask about a person’s housing situation and act to avoid them becoming homeless wherever possible.
It also reforms provision for people threatened with homelessness up to six months ahead and includes provisions for tenants experiencing domestic abuse.
The Bill will outline proposals for a New Deal for Tenants, a key part of the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party.
Proposals include long term rent controls for private tenancies, new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger protection against eviction.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan and Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie will lead the Bill’s passage through Parliament.
Mr McLennan said: “Scotland already has the strongest rights in the UK for people who become homeless – but nobody should have to experience the trauma and disruption of losing their home.
“Early action, through the kinds of measures included in the Housing Bill, results in fewer people reaching the point of housing crisis. It also means people facing homelessness have more choice and control over where they live, helping them to maintain relationships in their community and stay in work.”
🏴Scotland needs a housing system that works for everyone.
🏡That's why today I've published @ScotGov's new Housing Bill which delivers significant parts of our New Deal for Tenants.
Mr Harvie said: “A fairer, well-regulated rented sector is good for both tenants and landlords. Tenants benefit from improved conditions and security, while good responsible landlords will thrive when their good practice is recognised by regulation.
“Scotland has led the way across the UK in improving the experience of people who rent their homes and this reform has been at the same time as significant growth in the size of the private rented sector. So progressive reform can lead to better conditions and a healthy rented sector overall.
“I want to keep working with both tenants and landlords to achieve that goal.”
THE housing bill published today by the Scottish Government fails to address the systemic issues driving the housing emergency, Shelter Scotland has said.
The charity warned that there was no realistic prospect of councils being able to fulfil new statutory obligations given that local authorities are regularly failing to meet their existing legal duties.
The bill’s publication comes in the wake of figures which show a significant decline in the delivery of social homes, which Shelter Scotland says is essential in tackling the systemic issues driving the housing emergency.
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said:“There is a growing consensus that Scotland is in the grip of a Housing Emergency. Already four local authorities have declared housing emergencies, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks.
“Today’s housing bill was an opportunity to address the causes of that emergency and end the scandal of 10,000 children trapped in temporary accommodation.
“What we need is urgent action to drive up the supply of social homes, invest in local services and stop to councils breaking existing homelessness laws.
“Instead, we have a Housing Bill that does none of that and risks diverting frontline staff from the task in hand. By proposing new additional duties on councils already failing to deliver existing laws, we run the risk of making the situation worse.
“It is time for Scottish Ministers to listen to what our communities are telling them – declare a housing emergency and bring forward a new plan to deliver the social homes we need.”
Responding to the Housing (Scotland) Act being published, Citizens Advice Scotland Housing spokesperson Aoife Deery said: “The pandemic and cost of living crisis underlined the need for better protections for tenants and more affordable housing. In many ways the market is simply broken and urgently needs repaired.
“The CAB network in Scotland gives out hundreds of thousands of pieces of advice a year on housing, and it was one of the top areas of crossover advice – where people seeking help with housing also needed help with something else, often social security, debt or energy bills. In fact a third of all single working age households contacting CABs do so for advice on housing.
“We welcome this once in a generation opportunity to improve the rented sector and shape a fairer system. We look forward to getting into the detail of the Bill, change needs to happen with both landlords and tenants involved, we will be contributing our evidence as this work moves forward”
Cyrenians welcomes the introduction of the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament today. Long awaited, the new prevention or ‘Ask and Act’ duties included within it have the power to reach people before they become homeless and get them the right help, much faster.
‘Ask and act’ forms the cornerstone of a wider set of reforms to homelessness legislation. If passed, the Bill will require public bodies – including healthcare and justice agencies to implement systems whereby people at risk of homelessness are easily identified and directed to the appropriate services before they reach crisis point.
These duties will implement recommendations from the Homelessness Prevention Task and Finish Group (co-chaired by Crisis and Cyrenians), published in August 2023 [click here to read the Group’s report].
The group drew on its collective knowledge of the housing sector, as well as the lived experience of people who were homeless, through the All in for Change programme.
Throughout the process, building up to the publication of the Housing Bill, Cyrenians has consistently argued for increased funding to resource new prevention duties. We will continue to advocate for the necessary resource that our public bodies and local authorities will need to make the promise of the Housing Bill possible.
Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive of Cyrenians, said: ““Scotland is in the grip of a housing crisis. Several local authorities have now formally declared a housing emergency as the numbers of people facing homelessness is reaching record levels.
“But we know from our work across 60 services in Edinburgh, the Borders, Falkirk and the Lothians, that in many cases homelessness can be stopped long before people reach crisis point.
“To do that we need to widen the scope of responsibility, giving people within public bodies the right training and resource to be able fulfil this role. We believe that this, a public health approach to homelessness, is key to tackling the housing crisis.
‘We are very pleased to see the plans for prevention duties within the Housing Bill, published today. This legislation has the potential to prevent homelessness in Scotland. However, to do that, it needs to be properly resourced.
“As a charity which tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness, we regularly work with people whose situation could have been prevented, if they had received help earlier. We urge the Scottish Government to ensure that these duties are properly funded so that the bill can live up to its potential.”
Cats Protection has welcomed the new Housing (Scotland) Bill, which will for the first time give renters the right to own a pet.
The charity’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland, Alice Palombo, said: “This is a landmark day for renters in Scotland, who will finally be given the right to own a pet with an end to blanket ‘no-pet’ policies.
“We hope this new law will stop the misery faced by animal lovers who have been denied the chance to ever own a pet cat, simply because they rent rather than own their own home.
“People in rented housing pay significant amounts of their income every year on fees and rent, and it is only right they should be able to feel at home in that property. Pet ownership – whether it’s a cat or another companion animal – provides companionship to all sorts of people. Whether it’s older people at risk of loneliness or young families with children learning how to care for others, pets play a vital role in our lives.
“We’re particularly pleased to see the Bill introduces an obligation for local authority and social landlords to publish a policy relating to domestic abuse. Cats Protection operates a free fostering service for cat owners fleeing domestic abuse, but many victim-survivors can struggle to find cat-friendly housing. We hope that domestic abuse policies will include a commitment to ensuring victim-survivors can keep their pets when they settle into new housing.
“A survey by Cats Protection and Dogs Trust found a lack of sufficient pet-friendly rented housing in Scotland, with only 22% of Scottish landlords allowing pets. This puts a strain on rehoming charities, and landlord-related issues is one of the top reasons for cats coming into our care.”
The Housing (Scotland) Bill was informed by three public consultations and will now by scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.
Cat owners across the UK are being invited to nominate their pets for the biggest event in the feline year – the National Cat Awards.
The annual event, run by Cats Protection, celebrates the UK’s favourite cats, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Entries open on Tuesday 13 February and owners have until noon on Tuesday 26 March to nominate their cat in one of four categories. Owners or colleagues can also nominate a veterinary professional who has provided exceptional care for a cat in the Vet of the Year category:
Family cats: For cats who make a family complete – whether it’s being there for companionship, providing comfort and support in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.
Incredible cats – From heroic cats who save the day to those who have done something truly extraordinary. They might have survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure or maybe even saved a life.
Senior cats: Celebrating cats over the age of 11, who might be thriving in their older years or simply enjoying the quieter side of life.
Connected cats: Recognising cats that make us smile. From well-connected cats with their own social media following to those who pop up in the local community.
Vet of the Year 2024: For vets or veterinary professionals who have provided outstanding cat care.
Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards organiser Catherine Cottrell said: “We share our lives with cats, and as one of the nation’s favourite pets, they have a special role in the lives of millions of people.
“Whether they’re curling up on our laps after a stressful day, providing companionship to elderly or vulnerable people or simply making us laugh, cats bring happiness to the lives of all sorts of people.
“The National Cat Awards is all about celebrating everything we love about cats and what they bring into our lives. We’re thrilled to be hosting the awards once again and hope this year’s entries will inspire more people to adopt a rescue cat.”
Winners will be selected in a public vote and by a panel of judges before being announced during a ceremony in London on 18 September.
The Cat of the Year 2024 will be selected from the four category winners.
Last year’s winner was Zebby, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, who won the title National Cat of the Year in recognition of the support he gives to his deaf owner by alerting her to sounds and noises around the home.
To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards from Tuesday 13 February.
To find out more about adopting a cat from Cats Protection, visit:
The UK’s biggest cat charity Cats Protection has again welcomed the Pet Abduction Bill after it cleared another hurdle through parliament yesterday.
The Bill – proposed by Anna Firth MP – will give cats and their owners greater protection in law and help prevent pet theft.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection said: “This proposed law is a desperately needed safety net for the nation’s pets, helping to stamp out the criminals who prey on much-loved animals.
“Pet abduction is a particularly nasty crime, often leaving owners in permanent limbo about the fate of their pets and putting the animals themselves at high risk of mistreatment.
“Currently, the theft of an animal is regarded in law as being level with the theft of a mobile phone – and that is clearly not the case. Pets are not merely property – they are sentient beings, capable of suffering pain and fear, and are utterly irreplaceable to their owners.
“A new and specific offence will also enable police to build an accurate picture of pet theft across England and Northern Ireland by requiring a specific log, as opposed to the current situation where pet theft is recorded as property theft.”
The charity added that the new law would help tackle the backstreet market in purebred cats and kittens, driven by a growing demand for pedigrees.
Annabel said: “More than 40 per cent of all cats obtained in the last 12 months were pedigree, and criminals will no doubt capitalise on this demand. They may target pedigree cats for onward sale, or – if they’re unneutered – keep them as breeding animals to produce litter after litter of kittens to sell.
“We’re hugely encouraged to see the Pet Abduction Bill making such swift progress through parliament and will be working tirelessly with other animal charities and politicians to push it forwards. We cannot let this important opportunity to protect pets and owners slip through our hands.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
New law will create a new specific offence for dog and cat abduction
A new criminal offence for pet abduction took a significant step forward yesterday with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.
Under the Pet Abduction Bill – a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
By supporting the Pet Abduction Bill, the Government is delivering on pledges made in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. This recognised that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.
Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog theft and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “As a dog owner myself, I appreciate deeply what treasured members of the family dogs and cats are. It is a deeply traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet when they are stolen.
“This vital Bill will recognise the severity of this shocking crime and should act as a deterrent to anyone considering stealing a dog or cat. We will do all we can to support its swift passage through Parliament.”
Anna Firth MP said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Pet Abduction Bill has passed its second reading, and will move on to Committee stage. As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that the abduction of a pet can have, and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this.
“Pets are not merely property like a smartphone or watch – they are part of the family. It is not right that the law does not distinguish this and I am delighted that my bill will redress this wrong.”
Friday’s announcement builds upon wider work to protect pets from theft, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats and dogs in, making it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.
This builds on the Government’s efforts to enhance ‘our world-leading standards of animal welfare’. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index. Our flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare committed us to going even further to protect animals.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill – which is only possible now we have left the European Union – was introduced to Parliament last month and will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys.
Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have also brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; extended the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; introduced legislation to ban the keeping of primates as pets and supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.
The UK’s biggest cat charity Cats Protection has welcomed the Pet Abduction Bill, following its second reading.The charity says the Private Members Bill – proposed by Anna Firth MP – would give cats and their owners greater protection in law and help prevent pet theft.
In particular, the proposals would help tackle the backstreet market in purebred cats and kittens, driven by a growing demand for pedigrees.
Cats Protection’s Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer Annabel Berdy said: “No matter what the animal, pet abduction is a particularly abhorrent crime, leaving owners devastated and pets at high risk of mistreatment.
“Most cat owners share a deep emotional bond with their pet and consider them part of the family. When cats are stolen, it rips that companionship away, and leaves owners living with the nightmare of not knowing how their cat is being treated or if they’ll ever be reunited.
“More than 40% of all cats obtained in the last 12 months were pedigree, and this hasn’t gone un-noticed by those who want to profit in animal trade at any cost.
“These unscrupulous sellers will be looking to profit either by selling stolen cats to unsuspecting buyers, or keeping them to breed kittens for onward sale.
“Clearly, we are incredibly concerned about the welfare of these cats and kittens and this proposed law has the potential to be a much-needed deterrent to stamp out this market.
“We look forward to continuing to work with other animal charities and politicians to help push this Bill forwards and bring about better protections for pet owners and pets alike.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
A charity which provides free and confidential foster care for pet cats while their owners flee domestic abuse is looking to recruit more volunteer fosterers this January.
Cats Protection’s Lifeline service offers temporary care for cats in a home environment, enabling survivors to get to safety knowing their cat will be looked after until they can be reunited.
But in order to help more people, the charity is in desperate need of more volunteer fosterers who can offer a temporary home to a cat in need.
Cats Protection’s Lifeline Manager Amy Hyde said: “Many people want to start a New Year by making a resolution to help others, and joining our Lifeline team as a volunteer cat fosterer could be the perfect opportunity.
“Not only do our volunteers help cats, they also provide an opportunity for victim-survivors to get to safety knowing that their beloved pet cat will also be safe.
“We know that in cases of domestic abuse, pets are often targeted as a way to control or coerce a victim-survivor into staying. And as most refuges are unable to accept pets, this can be a significant barrier for people seeking support and safe housing.
“By offering free and confidential cat foster care, Lifeline helps to remove that barrier and gives victim-survivors the time, space and opportunity they need to get to a safe place.”
Referrals to Lifeline – previously called Paws Protect – come from either owners themselves or a support worker. Once in Lifeline’s care, cats are given a full health check before going to a Lifeline volunteer fosterer who is provided with everything they need to make sure the cat remains happy and healthy until they can be reunited with their owner.
After supporting cats in the South East for almost 20 years, Lifeline was recently able to expand into Yorkshire, East Anglia and the Midlands.
“We’ve fostered over 330 cats during 2023, enabling over 200 owners to get to safety but we need more cat fosterers to turn it into a UK-wide service.” said Amy.
Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping an average of 157,000 cats and kittens every year through a network of over 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer, or other ways to support the Lifeline service, please visit www.cats.org.uk/lifelineservice
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is, please contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, anytime on 0808 2000 247.
Careers in animal welfare are being explored in a series of engaging and fun talks for Scottish Careers Week, aimed at learners aged 11 and upwards.
Cats Protection is running eight live events during the week (13 – 19 Nov) with employees from around the feline welfare charity, offering an insight into the variety of jobs it offers.
Classes, groups, and individuals can sign up to the morning and afternoon live events, knowing they have been devised to help young people understand and develop their career aspirations.
The live streams include talks by the Veterinary team, who will talk about how their work shapes the way cats are cared for; the Advocacy team, which works to influence politicians and policy makers to create a better world for cats; and the Retail team, which runs the charity’s shop chain that raises vital money to support cats in need.
During each 30-minute session, attendees will meet a different person who will give the inside scoop on the skills, experience and qualifications needed for their role as well as sharing some fun stories. Also featuring a live Q&A, attendees can discover more from the experts to inspire their future paths.
Cats Protection’s Scottish Community Education Officer Alison Cameron-Russell said: “We aim to help students to better understand the job market and how they can develop their strengths to be successful in developing their careers. While adhering to the Career Education Standard 3-18, the talks are designed to be insightful, engaging and fun.”
Talk times and Cats Protection colleagues taking part:
o Monday, 13 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Veterinary Team o Tuesday, 14 November 9:30am-10:00am – Volunteering Team o Tuesday, 14 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Glasgow Adoption Centre o Wednesday, 15 November 9:30am-10:00am – Advocacy Team o Wednesday, 15 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Behaviour Team o Thursday, 16 November 9:30am-10:00am – Retail Team o Thursday, 16 November 2:00pm-2:30pm – Community Engagement Team o Friday, 17 November 9:30am-10:00am – Cat Welfare Learning Team
This summer at Cats Protection we’re inviting cat lovers to hold a Pawsome Tea anytime, anywhere. Whether you choose to hold a casual coffee morning or a yummy bake sale at work, any funds raise will then be put towards our vital cat welfare work.
By taking part you’ll be truly ‘baking a difference’ for cats in need and you can choose whether to donate to your local branch or centre or to the charity as a whole.
With every pot of tea poured, biscuit dunked and cake cut you will help give our feline friends a chance at finding their furever home. A £10 donation could feed a cat in care for 50 days, while £50 would cover neutering a cat or kitten.
At Cats Protection we help an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year through our national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres. Our vision is to help people see the world through cats’ eyes and your cat-themed tea will help us achieve that goal.
Anyone wishing to take part can sign up by visiting:
where you will also find plenty of resources to make planning your event a piece of cake – from DIY bunting and invitations to recipe ideas and advertising posters. We can’t wait to have a cuppa with you!
Nearly 40 MSPs visited a Holyrood exhibition held by the charity Cats Protection to highlight how cats – and the people who care for them – can be better protected in law.
The exhibition, sponsored by Marie McNair MSP, was attended by 38 politicians and was a chance to discuss measures to improve feline welfare in Scotland, including the introduction of compulsory microchipping for pet cats and increasing the availability of cat-friendly rented housing.
Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: “Scotland is a nation of pet lovers and cats are a particularly popular pet, with nearly one in four households owning one. So it was great to see so many politicians coming along to find out what they can do to ensure cats receive the protection in law that they deserve.
“Among the key measures we discussed was the need for compulsory microchipping of pet cats in Scotland. This is something which will soon be introduced for cats in England and it’s important that Scottish cats are not left behind.
“We also talked about what MSPs can do to ensure there is more cat-friendly housing available in the private and social rented sectors. So many people now rent their homes yet too many are being denied the chance to own a pet cat and we believe this must change.”
As well as discussing the charity’s campaigns, politicians also found out more about its hands-on work to support cats and the people who care about them, with staff from Cats Protection’s Veterinary, Behaviour and Community Engagement teams on hand to answer questions.
Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, has a Scottish network of 24 volunteer-run branches, three adoption centres and nine charity shops, which also offer advice 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 find out more about Cats Protection, please visit www.cats.org.uk
I am writing to encourage your readers to consider a moggy when thinking about giving a cat a new home.
Our latest survey revealed 38% of cats acquired in 2022 (or 600,000 cats) were pedigrees, such as Ragdolls or Scottish Folds, while 47% (or 750,000 cats) were moggies (cats produced through non-selective breeding such as a domestic short or longhair). This is the narrowest gap that we have seen between pedigrees and moggies in memory.
As a result, Cats Protection is celebrating moggies this spring and encouraging would-be owners to look past a breed or current social media led trends. Moggies have just as much personality and affection to share as pedigrees, they also tend to be less expensive both at the outset and over the course of their lifetime.
There are thousands of moggies needing new homes across Cats Protection’s network of branches and centres who are all vet-checked, microchipped, neutered if old enough, and arrive in their new homes with four weeks’ free insurance.
Further details of the benefits of welcoming a moggy into your life can be found at www.cats.org.uk/morethanjustamoggy; we also have lots of good advice about acquiring a pedigree cat including some potential pitfalls at www.cats.org.uk/pedigrees.
