Since 2021, cat breeding has been regulated in Scotland but the rest of the UK has no restrictions. This leads to cats being sold underage that are subsequently weak, prone to illness and in the worse cases may die. Cats can also currently be bred with extreme features which can negatively impact their welfare and cause suffering.
68% of cats purchased in the last year were found online, according to Cats Protection's Cats and Their Stats 2021 report.
While online shopping has become a huge part of our lives, the online sales of cats and kittens can have heart-breaking consequences.
Unscrupulous sellers, looking to make a quick profit, are selling underage kittens that are weak, prone to illness, and in the worst cases may die.
Separating kittens from their mother before the age of eight weeks can have an impact on their behaviour, health, and sometimes even their survival.
Mum cats can be mistreated and kept in poor conditions, bred for their kittens again and again.
We are also seeing people increasingly looking to get pedigree cats intentionally bred with extreme traits that are harmful to their welfare, including certain breeds such as the Scottish Fold and Munchkin. Although these cats may look 'cute', they can suffer a lifetime of pain.
That's why Cats Protection is calling for cat breeding to be regulated across the UK.
Only by ensuring cat breeding is properly regulated can we protect cats and kittens from suffering. Without regulation, there is no way to stop this from happening. Sign our petition calling for cat breeding to be regulated and a ban on the commercial breeding of certain extreme breeds such as the Scottish Fold and Munchkin.
