Facing a flap over cats, Scotland's government denies it plans to ban felines

The Scottish government recently issued a public statement, explicitly stating that it has no plans to ban cat ownership. This clarification comes after an independent expert report identified felines as a potential threat to Scottish wildlife and suggested considering "restrictive" measures to mitigate the harm they cause, sparking public concern.

A report by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission indicated that cats kill at least 700 million birds and other animals annually in the UK. The commission recommended that the government consider a range of measures, including keeping domestic cats indoors or using leashes, to protect endangered species such as the Scottish wildcat. The "feline restriction" measures mentioned in the report could also include "restricting cat ownership in households in vulnerable areas," which some interpreted as a de facto ban.

This suggestion caused a great uproar in Scotland, where cat lovers are numerous, and major media outlets reported on it extensively. For instance, the Daily Mail reported that "Scottish families could be banned from owning cats, sparking fury." The Scottish Daily Express denounced the idea as a "bonkers plan."

To quell public concerns, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney personally clarified the situation to the media, emphasizing the government's cat-friendly stance. "I have to be clear about this today," Swinney said on Monday, "The government is not going to ban or restrict cats. We have no intention of doing that, and we will not do that."

Cats Protection, the UK's largest cat welfare charity, also voiced its opposition to stringent restrictions and proposed more pragmatic solutions, such as "keeping cats indoors at dawn and dusk, which can balance the needs of domestic cats and wildlife." Alice Palombo, Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection in Scotland, stated: "Scotland is a nation of cat lovers, with nearly a quarter of households owning a cat. Cats make wonderful pets, whether they are providing companionship for older or single people, providing comfort for those who are unwell, or helping children to learn important lessons about caring for others. We believe that everyone who is able to care for a cat should be able to enjoy those benefits."