CAT welfare was placed on the political agenda for May’s Assembly elections, following the launch of Wales’ first ever Manifesto for Cats.
The manifesto was launched on Tuesday (Feb 23) in a reception at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff. With 29% of Welsh households owning a cat, and 18% of potential voters saying that they considered that animal welfare was an important issue, there has been a lot of public interest.
The manifesto aims to ensure that cats are protected from airgun attacks and snares, while making sure that people are better-educated about pet care.
At the launch, hosted by Suzy Davies AM, Advocacy Manager Jacqui Cuff said: “As we approach the 2016 Welsh Assembly election, we are calling on existing and prospective AMs to get behind our Welsh Manifesto for Cats to ensure one of the nation’s best loved pets is fully protected by policies and the law.”
Plaid Cymru regional AM Simon Thomas welcomed the manifesto: “My family has adopted a rescue cat, Bara Brith, so I was particularly pleased to support the Cats Protection manifesto,” he said.
“The charity does so much to improve feline welfare in Wales and across the UK. The fact that over 9,000 people UK wide volunteer and help Cats Protection, whether through cat fostering, rehoming, encouraging neutering or providing cat care advice is really impressive.
“Cats are important to millions of people and are so often a part of the family providing a whole range of benefits including love and companionship. As a cat owner myself I appreciate the hugely beneficial role cats play in the lives of their owners and within families.
“Despite being an essential part of the lives of so many people, cats are frequently subjected to mistreatment and neglect. I hope many more politicians will join with me in 2016 to improve the lives of cats in Wales.”
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns said that it was important to see what needs to be done in Wales to improve the lives of cats.
Ms Burns said: “We just have the dogs now but until recently my family was owned by two lovely moggies, both strays. They kept us, and the dogs in order, and we miss them very much.
“I was delighted to support Cats Protection and genuinely taken aback when I learnt of the numbers of abandoned and stray cats. I was also disgusted to hear of some of the cruelty meted out, cats being used as punch bags or target practice for air rifles.
“I’m very happy to promote the ideas being put forward by Cats Protection to cut down on the numbers of unwanted cats and their commitment to improving the lives of some of the most amusing, elegant, loving and inscrutable members of our families.”
Add Comment