I am very surprised that the Government is considering the exclusion of cats and kittens from the Kept Animals Bill. There doesn’t seem to be any logical reason why cats should be treated any differently to dogs.
In 2019 I stood on a manifesto setting out a vision to lead the world with high animal welfare standards in the wild, in farming and for domestic animals. I pledged to setup an independent Animal Welfare Commissioner.
I am glad that the Government is finally bringing forward legislation, through the Kept Animals Bill, to end some of these cruel practices that have damaged animal welfare in this country for so long. But why leave cats of the agenda here?
I very much support the new Kept Animals Bill and want to see it improved, and it must not exclude cats and kittens.
I will provide updates on any substantive action I’m able to take on this contradictory Government proposal, and I thank my constituents for bringing this to my attention.
