this post was submitted on 04 Feb 2025
28 points (96.7% liked)

UK Nature and Environment

449 readers
55 users here now

General Instance Rules:

Community Specific Rules:

Note: Our temporary logo is from The Wildlife Trusts. We are not officially associated with them.

Our winter banner is a shot of Shotley marshes, Suffolk by GreyShuck.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Cat lovers have been left hissing at a proposal to restrict areas where their beloved pets are allowed to roam and hunt wildlife.

With some 27 million birds slain each year, a new report is advising the Scottish Government to take drastic measures that include keeping cats locked inside - and even banning ownership altogether.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) also suggested setting up ‘cat containment areas’ - designated parts of the country where compulsory restrictions could be put in place to prevent pet cats from roaming and hunting.

top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 hours ago

Seems to say "within special conservation areas" rather than "the entire of the country". Quite a difference.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (2 children)

I'd agree but it needs to be gradual. If you already have a cat that goes outside it will be tough to keep it from heading out again. Any new cats should be inside only.

Edit: I am guessing people that downvote me for this are people who never had a cat. You'll have a bad time with your cat acting up like crazy if you deny them something they had access to. Maybe that can be trained away but the average person having a cat will likely not be able to do that. Doing something drastic like just telling all cat owners their cats cannot go outside anymore will just fill up the animal shelters. It's not that easy.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 hour ago

Shouldn't've let your cat outside in the first place. They're ecoterrorists and it's dangerous for them as well.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 hours ago

I feel like a relaxed attitude towards something like that would just further perpetuate the problem. People don't realize that letting your cat out is a shitty thing to do