As a cat owner, I was shocked and upset to learn about a Dillon a cat that had been having pleasant visits to a Costa Coffee franchise in Cornwall, UK until a customer complaint led to its banishment. This incident spoke of an unfair policy that discriminates against cats, despite their behaviour being no less exemplary than that of dogs. It has come to light that well-behaved cats, which are either on leads or situated in cat carriers, are unjustifiably barred from accessing Costa Coffee's venues. There's an absence of uniformity in Costa Coffee’s policy as rules have been relaxed for dogs, but remain unyieldingly harsh for cats.

About 24% of UK households have cats equating to approximately 10.9 million pet cats (PDSA, 2020). This large community of cat-loving Brits suffers as their feline companions are unfairly vilified and excluded from enjoying a normal social lifestyle. This ban is not only discriminatory but also ignores the benefits of human-cat interaction, such as stress reduction, which can complement the coffee shop ambience.

We are calling on Costa Coffee, as one of the largest coffee chains in the UK, to lead the change in this discriminative practice. Review and amend your policies to support fair and equal treatment of all pets, including our beloved cats. Show the true spirit of inclusivity and affability that the UK is known for. Shine as a beacon for other businesses by demonstrating that good behaviour - not species - should be the key to granting access to public spaces.

Please, join us in making your voice heard for our cat friends and sign the petition today!