Cat lovers are furious with Tory ministers because they are going to the dogs.
They want new laws being introduced to protect imported pooches and puppies from abuse to be extended to the 70,000 cats and kittens also brought in from abroad.
The demand for pedigree cats has shot up to 36% of those obtained last year.
And welfare charity Cats Protection say that’s because owners want them to look good on social media.
Prices have soared with the average cost going up from £327 last year to £474 in 2021.
Co-chair of Parliament’s all-party cat group Sheryll Murray said: “With more high-value cats being sought there is a risk of even more unscrupulous sellers exploiting cats and customers for profit.”
SNP MP Peter Grant added: “There are people in all parts of the world that regard animals as simply objects to be bought and sold.”
Now campaigners want the import of kittens younger than six months and heavily pregnant cats banned, along with those who have been cruelly declawed.
That would bring them in line with similar legislation planned for the importation of dogs which includes a ban on those who have had tails docked or ears cropped.
.But Animal Welfare minister Lord Zac Goldsmith said: “There is very limited evidence there is a significant illegal trade in cats or significant numbers of low-welfare movements.”
Stefan Blakiston Moore of Cats Protection said the clampdown on dogs will make the market for cats more attractive.
He added: “This is a perfect storm. Huge price rises and dogs becoming more difficult to sell will tempt the unscrupulous sellers to turn to cats.”
The charity had to rescue eight week old kitten Nala after she was brought into the UK from Germany without a pet passport or being jabbed. She is now in a loving home.
And these four frightened kittens no older than four months were smuggled in a lorry from Hungary.
Border officers discovered them locked in a freight container without food or water.
Karen Corbin of Cats Protection said: “These four little mites swerved a tragic end. Their journey would had been pretty horrid and then their luck nearly ran out.”
A Defra spokesperson said: “We are currently analysing responses to our recent consultation on further proposals to crack down on this illegal trade, including on whether to extend them to cover cats.”
