CatsMatter - Amend The Animal Welfare Act 2006 To Give Cats Protections On Roads
It is perfectly legal in the UK to hit a cat when driving and leave them scared, alone and in pain roadside. Cats are important, loved, valued family members and, as it does for dogs, the law should reflect this. We want legislation that recognises cats as a species worth helping if injured on roads
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
- 06 JAN 2026Petition rejectedduplicate
You may wish to sign this petition which calls for the same action: Legislate to require drivers to report collisions with cats https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750612
- 26 NOV 2025Petition created
Background
We want section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act to include a direct amendment that holds drivers accountable if they fail to stop and report a collision involving a cat on the basis they left a cat to unnecessarily suffer. Asking a bit of decency is legislated for by asking drivers be made responsible for seeking help for an injured cat is a perfectly reasonable & simple ask. Legislation currently leans toward encouraging unnecessary suffering by allowing drivers to flee the scene. It must change.