Scottish Government has ‘no intention’ of banning cats, says Swinney

John Swinney has knocked down reports the Scottish Government is considering banning cats.

Reports emerged over the weekend of a report from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) – a group of independent experts – which recommended the Scottish Government look at potentially instituting containment areas for cats to protect local wildlife.

Such zones could include a prohibition on cat ownership in rural areas to protect endangered species.

But speaking to broadcasters on Monday, the First Minister rejected assertions it would be an effective ban on owning cats.

“There’s a report being produced by an external organisation which has come in to the Government for consideration,” he said.

“Let me just clear this up today – the Government’s not going to be banning cats or restricting cats.

“We’ve no intention of doing so and we will not be doing it.”

The use of compulsory cat containment zones within the report – one of five options aimed at controlling the cat population – could include a mandate for owners to keep their pets inside, but the commission also questions the impact on the cats themselves of being stuck indoors.

The report said: “The evidence suggests that all cats can have a significant impact on wildlife populations, through predation and competition for resources with vulnerable wildcat populations.

“Some countries already require cats to be contained all the time or seasonally to protect wildlife populations.

“This may be an option to reduce the welfare impacts of domestic cats on wildlife.

“However, there are also welfare impacts for the cat of preventing access to outdoor environments.

“This approach requires investment from owners in ensuring good cat welfare and allowing behavioural opportunities for hunting, exploring, exercise and mental stimulation.

“New housing developments in rural areas could have a stipulation that cats may not be kept in conservation-sensitive areas/other areas that have not had high levels of predation, especially with red-listed or amber-listed birds/other species.”

The commission recommended the Government instruct its agency NatureScot to produce a report on containment areas.