I’m starting this petition because my beautiful daughter’s cat Chase was hit by a car and left to die on the roadside. He had been hit by a car, and the driver didn’t even stop to check or report the incident. The agony of not knowing what happened to him for hours was unbearable, and unfortunately, my story is not unique. Every year, countless cats suffer the same fate, with many surviving but requiring urgent medical attention. Yet, without immediate reporting, these animals are left in distress, prolonging their suffering.

As a community, we pride ourselves on being compassionate and responsible. Yet, when it comes to incidents of animal collisions, there is a significant gap in how we respond, especially with cats. While drivers may not be able to prevent every accident, they can take action afterward. What is needed is a legal obligation to stop and report any collision involving a cat, ensuring the animal receives the help it needs promptly.

In regions like the UK and Australia, laws already exist mandating drivers to report collisions involving certain animals. However, these regulations often exclude cats, leaving them vulnerable. This oversight needs to be addressed. By making it mandatory to report when a cat is hit, we can ensure that these beloved pets are given a fighting chance. Such legislation would require drivers to report the incident to the authorities and possibly local animal shelters, who can then take swift action to provide medical care.

Statistics from the RSPCA indicate that a significant percentage of cat-related traffic incidents go unreported, leading to prolonged animal suffering and unnecessary deaths. With well-drafted regulations, we could drastically reduce these incidents' negative impact, much like existing legislation has done for other animals.

Not only do these measures help the immediate welfare of pets, but they would also support owners, like myself, who otherwise suffer from the uncertainty and heartbreak of losing a beloved companion without answers. By making it mandatory to report when a cat is involved in a traffic collision, everyone in the community becomes a part of the solution, providing care and closure where it’s desperately needed.

Please join me in calling for a change in legislation to protect our feline friends. Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to make it mandatory to stop and report when a cat has been hit in a collision. Your signature can make all the difference for cats and their owners everywhere.