Cats are much-loved members of our families, yet the legal protections afforded to them do not always reflect the important place they hold in our lives or the changing ways in which we care for them.

I am calling for a comprehensive review of the laws protecting cats across the UK, with the aim of creating clearer responsibilities, better safeguards and appropriate accountability when cats are harmed, injured or killed.

Cats deserve protection throughout their lives, not just after something terrible has happened. Every cat matters, regardless of where they live, how they spend their time outdoors or the circumstances in which they are injured or killed.

Protecting every cat, in every situation

Every cat deserves legal protection, whether they are an indoor-only cat, an outdoor cat, live in a cat-proofed garden, go outside on a lead and harness, or are allowed to roam.

Even indoor cats can escape. A door or window can be left open accidentally, a cat can slip outside unexpectedly, or an emergency can cause a normally indoor cat to find themselves outdoors in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous surroundings. This can happen despite an owner’s best efforts to keep them safe.

A cat should never be considered less deserving of protection because they were outside, had escaped, were roaming or were not being supervised at the time they were injured or killed.

Likewise, cats being walked on leads and harnesses or enjoying controlled access to the outdoors can still be vulnerable to attacks and other dangers. Owners who take precautions to protect their cats should not have to worry that their pets will be overlooked if something goes wrong.

This campaign is not about deciding which cats are more deserving of protection. It is about recognising the value of every cat’s life, encouraging responsible ownership and ensuring appropriate accountability when harm occurs.

Legal protection should apply to every cat, in every situation, throughout their life and after death.

Protecting cats in everyday life

Cat ownership is evolving. Many owners are choosing secure, cat-proofed gardens, leads and harnesses, and controlled outdoor access to help keep their cats safe. Others keep their cats indoors, while some allow their cats to roam.

Whatever an owner’s approach, cats can still face risks. There must be proper consideration of how cats can be protected from attacks, dangerous situations and preventable harm, and what responsibilities people should have when their actions put an animal at risk.

I want the government to consider whether existing laws provide sufficient protection for cats in these different circumstances and whether further safeguards are needed.

This campaign is not about blaming all dog owners, motorists or any particular group. It is about ensuring that the law provides appropriate protection and that people can be held accountable where their actions, negligence or failure to act responsibly cause harm.

Clearer accountability when cats are injured or killed

When a cat is seriously injured or killed by a dog, involved in a road traffic collision or harmed in other circumstances, there should be clear procedures for reporting incidents, investigating where appropriate and establishing responsibility.

I want the government to consider whether existing laws adequately address incidents involving cats and whether further legal protections, reporting requirements and proportionate consequences are needed.

Families should not be left feeling that their cat’s life does not matter or that no one is responsible for finding out what happened.

Dignity and protection after death

A cat’s protection should not end when their life does.

When a deceased cat is found, reasonable steps should be taken to check for a microchip, notify their owner where possible and ensure their body is handled respectfully. When a cat is found injured, appropriate steps should be taken to seek veterinary assistance.

No family should have to spend days searching for their beloved pet without knowing that their cat has died. No owner should have to discover that their cat’s body was treated without dignity or that simple steps which could have helped reunite them with their pet were never taken.

Maggie, from Wollaston, Northamptonshire, was killed in a dog attack. Her family only found her because she had a tracker. To make an already heartbreaking situation worse, a human being had put Maggie’s body in a bin.

The dog didn’t put Maggie in the bin. A human did.

Maggie’s story is one example of why this matters. This campaign is not solely about her, nor is it about blaming an animal for a person’s actions. It is about the responsibilities humans have towards animals and the families who love them.

Every cat deserves to be treated with dignity, and every family deserves the opportunity to find answers and say goodbye.

Responsible cat ownership and evolving laws

I recognise that responsible cat ownership is an important part of this conversation. As the way people care for cats evolves, the law should evolve alongside it.

I am open to discussions about stronger responsibilities for cat owners, including potential roaming restrictions or curfews, if evidence supports them and they are properly consulted on. Any changes should be proportionate, practical and centred on animal welfare.

However, even responsible owners cannot prevent every accident. Indoor cats can escape, secure environments can be compromised, and cats taken outdoors on leads can still encounter unexpected dangers.

Responsibility must work both ways. If cat owners are expected to adapt to changing expectations, the legal protections available to cats must also be reviewed.

The aim should be a fairer framework that encourages responsible ownership, helps prevent harm and ensures appropriate accountability when things go wrong, without treating a cat as less worthy of protection because of their circumstances.

What i am calling for

I am asking the UK Government to undertake a comprehensive review of cat protection laws and consider:

Stronger legal protection for all cats, including indoor cats, outdoor cats, roaming cats, cats in secure gardens and cats walked on leads and harnesses.

Clearer responsibilities and appropriate accountability when cats are injured or killed.

Effective reporting and investigation procedures for serious incidents involving cats.

Appropriate assistance for injured cats and reasonable steps to identify and notify the owners of deceased cats.

Respectful handling of deceased cats and better procedures to help families find answers.

A balanced review of responsible cat ownership and whether further measures could improve feline welfare and safety.

These proposals should be developed through evidence, consultation and consideration of how existing laws work in practice.

Why your support matters

This campaign is about more than one incident or one type of harm. It is about recognising that cats are sentient, much-loved companions whose lives and welfare deserve proper consideration under the law.

We can care about responsible dog ownership, road safety and responsible cat ownership at the same time. These issues do not have to compete with one another.

I am asking for a serious conversation about whether the current legal framework provides cats with sufficient protection, both while they are alive and after they have died.

Please sign and share this petition to help call for a comprehensive review of cat protection laws across the UK.

For the cats who are still here. For the cats who have been injured or lost their lives. For the families left searching for answers. And for a future where every cat receives the protection, dignity and respect they deserve — no matter where they live or the circumstances they find themselves in.