The Scottish government has clarified that it does not intend to ban cats. This statement came after an independent report labeled cats as a threat to wildlife in Scotland, suggesting that measures like “containment” be explored to reduce their impact.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission reported that cats kill at least 700 million birds and other animals annually in the U.K. It recommended that the government look into various measures, such as keeping cats indoors or on leashes, to protect endangered species like Scottish wildcats.
The report also mentioned that “cat containment” could involve restrictions on introducing cats to households in vulnerable areas, which some interpreted as a potential ban.
The Scottish government responded by stating that it would carefully consider these recommendations.
In a country known for its love of animals, the recommendations sparked widespread concern. The Daily Mail ran a headline reading: “Fury as households in Scotland could be banned from getting a pet cat.” Meanwhile, the Scottish Daily Express called the idea a “madcap scheme.”
John Swinney, who leads Scotland’s semi-autonomous government based in Edinburgh, addressed the media to defend the government’s stance on supporting cats.
“Let me clear this up today,” John Swinney said on Monday. “The government is not going to ban or restrict cats. We have no intention of doing so, and we will not be doing it.”
Cats Protection, the U.K.’s largest cat charity, dismissed the idea of strict containment measures, suggesting instead that “pragmatic solutions like keeping cats indoors at dawn and dusk” could strike a balance between the needs of domestic cats and wildlife.
“Scotland is a nation of cat lovers,” said Alice Palombo, the charity’s advocacy officer for Scotland, noting that nearly a quarter of households have a pet cat.
“Cats make wonderful pets for many reasons, whether it’s offering companionship to the elderly or those living alone, providing comfort to people with health issues, or helping children learn to care for others,” she explained. “We believe that everyone who can properly care for a cat should be able to enjoy these benefits.”