Namo was such a special cat, and a huge part of our family. Three weeks ago, our neighbour found him lifeless on the street. In an attempt to do the right thing, they notified the council, hoping that Namo would receive the dignity he deserved. However, in a distressing turn of events, our cat was taken away without any notification to us. Despite having a registered microchip, Namo was never scanned, and to this day, we have not received any acknowledgment or confirmation from the council regarding his whereabouts.

This heartbreaking experience is a stark reminder of the urgent need for systematic changes in how deceased pets are handled. Every year, countless pet owners face the agonizing situation of not knowing what happened to their cherished companions. It is imperative that pet owners receive swift notification and confirmation when their pets are found.

The current system, which allows local councils to manage deceased pet collections, is evidently flawed and lacks accountability, dignity and respect. Councils are ill equipped to handle such delicate situations, and should be completely removed from the process. Too often, council resources are overstretched, and pets like Namo fall through the cracks, leaving families in distress and uncertainty.

To prevent such tragedies from repeating, it is essential to:

1. Mandate the scanning of every deceased pet for a microchip immediately upon discovery. This should be a standardised and enforced practice, ensuring that pet owners are contacted without delay.

2. Transition the handling of deceased pets to veterinary services. With additional funding, vets can manage this process more efficiently and compassionately, utilising their expertise and established procedures to ensure every pet's microchip is scanned and their owners contacted.

3. Remove the involvement of local councils from deceased animal cases, reallocating the resources towards expanding veterinary services to handle these cases promptly.

Pets are family, and they deserve to be treated with dignity, even in death. By bringing about these necessary changes, we can ensure that heartbroken pet owners are spared the pain of uncertainty, allowed closure, and given the respect they deserve during such difficult times.

Please join me in urging authorities to make these changes mandatory and provide our beloved pets with the dignity and respect they deserve. Sign this petition to ensure that no other family has to endure what we have been through.