SNP ministers are to consider banning pet cats, in a bid to protect birds and other wildlife.
An official report for the Scottish Government suggests establishing containment zones where residents can be forced to keep their pets indoors, or stopped from owning them altogether.
The report claims that domestic cats have a “significant impact on wildlife populations” as they hunt for fun, torture prey through play, and bring maimed animals home to their owners.
SNP ministers said they were “fully considering” the report, by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, which claims domestic cats are threatening rare wildcat populations by competing with them for food and habitats, and passing on diseases.
It recommends consideration of “compulsory containment” of cats in vulnerable areas, meaning they would not be allowed outside.
The late Alex Salmond, former SNP leader, canvassing a cat owner in 2015 – Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
It suggests that, in new housing developments in rural areas, a stipulation could be added that cats “may not be kept”, especially when homes were close to endangered bird populations or other under-threat animals.
The report says that forcing owners in “vulnerable areas” to neuter their pets, in an effort to prevent the expansion of feral cat populations, is worth further consideration.
Cats Protection, the charity, criticised the calls, describing Scotland as a “nation of cat lovers” and saying everyone should have the right to enjoy the benefits of a feline companion.
“Ideally, all cats should have the choice to access the outside world,” Alice Palombo, the charity’s government relations officer for Scotland, told The Mail on Sunday.
“Cats need to be able to perform natural cat-like behaviours if they’re to live happy, healthy lives. While some cats tolerate living indoors, missing out on these vital experiences can lead to stress-related problems like spraying, excessive grooming or physical illness.”
John Swinner – the First Minister, pictured here at an animal hospital in Glasgow – must decide whether to act on the recommendations of the report – Danny Lawson/PA
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission was set up in 2020 by Nicola Sturgeon to provide recommendations to ministers on the “welfare of sentient animals in Scotland”, based on “scientific evidence and ethical considerations”.
The report says pets have a “huge potential impact” on other animals, and claims that cats bring home tens of millions of animals – mammals, reptiles and amphibians – every year in the UK.
It adds: “Given that only a proportion of prey are brought home… the actual number of wild prey killed could reach at least 700 million vertebrates per year in the UK.
“While the killing of prey by a cat may not necessarily be regarded as a welfare issue, domestic cats have a tendency to play with their prey and bring back live often injured prey to their owners.”
The report states that containment areas have been set up in parts of Australia, where under the law the pets must be kept within a property 24 hours a day.
The commission estimated that domestic cats kill 700 million vertebrates in the UK every year – Frantic00/iStockphoto
The only exceptions are for enclosed outdoor runs or if owners take cats for walks on a lead.
Douglas Ross, the former Scottish Tory leader, said: “Over the last 18 years, the SNP have failed to make any difference to major countryside issues such as sheep worrying, oil thefts and lack of adequate infrastructure.
“The SNP government has battered through planning applications where wildcat numbers were notably at risk, such as the Clashindarroch 2 wind farm.
“So any sudden pretence to care about native species will be treated with suspicion by conservationists.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We will fully consider the recommendations of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.”
