- Scottish officials reassured cat owners there will be no ban on cats, despite a report linking felines to threatening vulnerable wildlife. The report highlighted that cats kill millions of birds and animals each year in the U.K., starting rumors of a ban.
- Welfare experts urged the government to create containment zones for cats and hold owners accountable.
- First Minister John Swinney confirmed the government has no intention of imposing any restrictions on cats.
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Scottish cat owners can rest easy after government leaders confirmed there will be no ban on cats. Speculation grew after a report cited cats’ harm to wildlife.
Official report on cats’ harm to wildlife sparked ban rumor
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, which works directly with government officials to shape animal protection policies, submitted a report in December 2024, showing cats are responsible for killing 700 million birds and other animals annually in the U.K. The report specifically highlighted the impact they have on Scotland’s wildlife.
As government officials considered the findings, speculation quickly grew they might impose a cat ban. News outlets picked up on the rumors, with headlines reading “Cats in Scotland could be BANNED under strict new wildlife plans to protect birds” and “SNP to consider banning cats.”
Containment zones and owner accountability urged
Welfare experts urged First Minister John Swinney and other leaders to create containment zones to protect vulnerable wildlife from both feral and domestic cats. Suggestions included requiring owners to keep their cats on leashes when outdoors or keep them indoors altogether. Experts also called for legislation holding cat owners accountable for microchipping and controlling cat reproduction.
However, Swinney put rumors to rest, stating that the government has no intention of banning or restricting cats.
