Campaigners are calling on the UK Government to change the law so drivers who hit cats would have to stop and report the incident. The push comes after a record-breaking petition highlighted the issue and renewed pressure on ministers to review the current rules.
The appeal focuses on England, Scotland and Wales, where campaigners say the law should be updated to give cats the same kind of protection motorists already recognise in other road collisions involving animals. Supporters argue that mandatory reporting would help owners learn what happened to missing pets and could also improve how these incidents are recorded.
At the centre of the debate is whether drivers should face a clear legal duty after running over a cat, rather than being able to leave without notifying anyone. Those backing reform say a reporting requirement would be a basic step toward treating pet cats more seriously in road traffic law.
With the petition gaining significant support, the issue has moved higher up the political agenda. The Government is now being urged to consider whether existing road collision rules still reflect how many households view cats as family pets and whether the law should be changed accordingly.
