On 19 March 2023, our worst nightmare as cat owners came true as we found out our cat Shadow had been involved in a hit and run and sadly didn't make it. Many people argue about cats and their safety outdoors, but so many cats seek adventure and long to play outdoors. We do not live on a main road, but on a newly built family estate and Shadow was hit only 4 houses down from his front door - the driver of the vehicle must be aware of what happened and decided to drive off regardless leaving others to deal with the devastating scene they left behind. 

There are petitions of this sort all too often, and when most recently debated within parliament the verdict was 'Having a law making it a requirement to report road accidents involving cats would be very difficult to enforce and we have reservations about the difference it would make to the behaviour of drivers, who are aware that they have run over a cat and do not report it.' How can it be argued that the law would be any more difficult to enforce in relation to a cat than it would for a dog, sheep or cow? If a law was introduced and more importantly enforced then drivers behaviour would be forced to change.

In relation to cat microchipping laws being brought in from June 2024, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said "Cats are treasured members of the family, and it can be devastating for owners when they are lost or stolen" and “this important step delivers on our manifesto commitment to introduce compulsory microchipping for cats and will help protect millions of cats across the country by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners.” The comments to support the introduction of this law are equally valid reasons to justify why cats should be be added to the reporting of road traffic accidents laws - microchipping alone is not enough! 

Shadow had been a stray when he turned up on our windowsill when he was around 5 years old and chose us to be his forever home -  he was used to surviving outdoors. It is possible that drivers who cause these types of accidents and do not stop may have been breaking laws at the time such as speeding or driving without due care and attention so if not for the sole purpose as to offer protection for cats and their owners then do it to protect others from the accidents that could yet be caused by these dangerous drivers.