Cats Protection has issued a warning against taking cats on public transport after a recent Transport for London (TfL) social media video appeared to encourage people to do so.
TFL’s official Instagram account posted a social media video, featuring cats on leads and outside of their carriers at underground stations, on tube trains and platforms, sparking concern among animal welfare experts.
Promotion of cats travelling on the tube risks encouraging more people to take an action which can be hugely stressful for cats.
“It is disturbing to see Transport for London apparently normalising passengers taking cats on the underground with a social media reel aimed at young people,’ said Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection Senior Behaviour Manager.
“Busy stations and crowded underground platforms with loud and sudden noises, such as trains arriving, announcements, and crowds, should be off limits for cats. It is shocking to think that anyone would travel on the underground with their cat on a lead or draped on their shoulders. It is not only poor welfare, it’s unsafe.”
Cats Protection has formally contacted Transport for London to express its concern and ask for the offending video to be removed from the company’s social media channels.
The charity advises, when a cat needs transporting, such as for a vet visit, a safe and sturdy carrier with a secure door should be used, rather than a cat backpack or collar and lead.
Sarah Elliott, Cats Protection Central Veterinary Officer, added: “Restraining a cat on a lead or taking it on unnecessary journeys in backpacks can cause significant stress and inhibit a cat’s natural behaviours.
“Cats are territorial and like to roam freely, rather than go on leisure outings away from their familiar home. As well as the obvious safety and welfare concerns, cat harnesses prevent the flight response and feeling trapped can significantly escalate stress in cats.”
As the UK’s leading cat charity, Cats Protection campaigns for better cat welfare standards and recently warned against the increasing use of cat harnesses and leads after its Cats & Their Stats Report revealed that almost 15 per cent of cat owners use harnesses of some kind – an increase from 10 per cent last year.
The survey, based on responses from over 10,000 UK cat owners, also highlighted an increasing trend in cat owners turning first to social media for advice when they need it, making this video all more the concerning.
There are 10.2 million pet cats in the UK, with the average number of cats in cat-owning households currently standing at 1.5.
Cats Protection is keen to work with organisations to improve the lives of UK cats, for example by providing advice around the safest and least stressful ways to transport cats for essential travel.
For advice on travel in line with good cat welfare, visit: www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/travelling-with-your-cat
