As someone who has seen the heart-breaking sight of cats who have died under bushes beside our roads, I understand the pain that many cat owners must face when their feline friends are lost in car accidents. These are not just pets; they are cherished members of families, and even service animals. Current laws insufficiently protect them. Just like dogs, cats today must be neutered and chipped by law, but if one is hit by a car, under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the driver is allowed to simply drive off. This disparity highlights a significant and distressing loophole in our law.

This devastating legal oversight must be corrected. Cats, increasingly recognised for not just their companionship but also their important roles as service pets, should be protected by our laws just as our canine counterparts are. Therefore, I am calling on our lawmakers to update the Road Traffic Act of 1988 to include cats. This will ensure equal rights for all our pets, affirming their value as crucial members of our families and society. 

Let's strive together for a world where every pet's life is protected by laws that align with modern views on animal welfare and rights. It's time to give cats the legal protections they deserve. Please, sign this petition today.