‘No cat ban in Scotland’ First Minister John Swinney confirms

Scotland won’t ban cats, the primary minister has confirmed after animal specialists instructed restrictions on their actions must be thought-about in some areas.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Fee (SAWG), which advises ministers on animal welfare, had urged them to look additional into the professionals and cons of “obligatory containment” of cats in sure components of Scotland.

The report into accountable cat possession, stated cats may have a “important influence on wildlife populations” by attacking different animals, breeding with wildcats and competing for sources.

A Scottish authorities spokesperson stated they’d “absolutely contemplate the suggestions” however John Swinney has now dominated out a ban.

“We’ve got completely no intention of banning cats. There is not any manner that is going to occur,” he instructed ORIONEWS Scotland.

Pressed on whether or not the Scottish authorities may contemplate a curfew for cats, he stated: “I am providing you with a really clear assertion – we’re not going to do this.”

The welfare report stated as much as 700 million birds, mammals and reptiles are regarded as killed by home cats throughout the UK every year.

Consultants from the Scottish Animal Welfare Fee (SAWC) stated one potential choice is perhaps to maintain cats at house in sure rural areas.

The concept of cat containment orders may apply to new housing developments the place wildlife, together with Scottish wildcats, have been at explicit danger from the pets.

Different potential measures embrace obligatory microchipping throughout Scotland, rising vaccinations and neutering cats dwelling in weak areas.

The report stated: “New housing developments in rural areas may have a stipulation that cats might not be saved in conservation-sensitive areas/different areas that haven’t had excessive ranges of predation, particularly with red-listed or amber-listed birds/different species.”

The advisers really useful that authorities company NatureScot fee one other report trying in additional element on the concept of cat containment zones.

Everlasting or seasonal at containment areas have already been carried out in different nations, together with components of Australia, the place wildlife could also be in danger.

Residents need to maintain home cats throughout the boundaries of their property.

SAWC chairwoman Cathy Dwyer, who’s professor of animal behaviour and welfare at Scotland’s Rural Faculty, instructed ORIONEWS Radio 4’s In the present day programme that in some areas cats may “doubtlessly” be saved indoors or on leads.

She stated one of many issues was “hybridisation of home cats with our Scottish wildcats”.

“That is reached such some extent the place pure Scottish wildcats have been nearly extinct and there is actually been motion to convey these animals again. These are one in every of our mega charismatic animals,” she added.

Nevertheless, Prof Dwyer, acknowledged {that a} steadiness needed to be struck which additionally safeguarded the welfare of home cats.

“In fact, we perceive that conserving a cat locked up inside on a regular basis, it’s actually troublesome to supply for his or her welfare, so it is actually about placing a steadiness between defending Scottish wildlife and guaranteeing cats have good welfare,” she stated.

Microchipping of all home cats is presently not obligatory in Scotland, in contrast to in England and Wales, and this was one other suggestion from the advisers.

“A correct database permits us to see the place cats have come from and cut back the variety of strays and feral cats, which have very poor welfare in Scotland – they don’t seem to be properly tailored to stay in Scotland,” Prof Dwyer stated.

A Scottish authorities spokesperson stated: “We advocate that every one cat homeowners ought to contemplate microchipping their pets, and guaranteeing the data held on them is saved updated, as one of the simplest ways of being reunited ought to they develop into misplaced or separated.

“We are going to absolutely contemplate the suggestions of the Scottish Animal Welfare Fee.”