On January 22, 2024, I lost my beloved 8-month-old cat in a hit and run incident. This tragic event has not only left me heartbroken but also made me realize the lack of legal protection for cats on our roads. Just like dogs and deer, cats are part of our families and deserve equal consideration.

In Reading, UK, where I live, countless other cat owners have experienced similar losses due to speeding vehicles that fail to stop after an accident. The pain is compounded by the fact that we often don't find out what happened to our pets until it's too late.

The law currently requires drivers to report accidents involving dogs and deer to the police. However, there is no such requirement for incidents involving cats. This discrepancy in legislation means that many cat owners never get closure when their pet goes missing.

According to a study by People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), there are approximately 10 million owned cats in the UK alone. That's a significant number of potential victims without proper legal protection.

We urge lawmakers in Reading and across the UK to extend existing laws requiring drivers involved in accidents with animals like dogs or deer also include cats. It will ensure more responsible driving behaviour around these small creatures who bring so much joy into our lives.

Please sign this petition if you believe all pets should be treated equally under law and help us bring about this necessary change for all cat owners across the country.