Transport for London has been criticised for posting a "disturbing" social media video that encourages passengers to take their cats on the Tube.
The Cats Protection charity advised against taking cats on the London Underground, warning that this could cause them "significant stress".
The animal welfare organisation spoke out after TfL posted a video reel on its Instagram page showing two cats being taken on the Elizabeth line.
In the video, the cats each have a lead and collar and are sat on top of rucksack-style pet carriers worn by two men.
In the video, a woman spots the cats and asks: “Are they actually allowed on the Tube?”
She is told: “Of course – pets are allowed, including cats.”
The video then runs through TfL’s “four simple rules” for taking pets on the Tube. These are:
1.Travel with pet carriers and escape-proof harnesses, food and water, with “bonus points” for treats and toys.
2.Don’t allow your pet to sit on the seats. Put them in on or their carrier or on the floor.
3.Use lifts and stairs when possible, instead of an escalator. If using an escalator, pets should be kept in or on their carrier.
4.Don’t “overwhelm your pets” – avoid peak hours and choose routes where there is more space, such as the Elizabeth line.
Cats Protection fears that the TfL video – which has been viewed 134,000 times - will encourage more people to take cats on the Tube.
It has asked TfL to remove the video from its social media accounts.
Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection’ senior behaviour manager, said: “It is disturbing to see Transport for London apparently normalising passengers taking cats on the underground with a social media reel aimed at young people.
"Busy stations and crowded underground platforms with loud and sudden noises, such as trains arriving, announcements, and crowds, should be off limits for cats.
“It is shocking to think that anyone would travel on the Underground with their cat on a lead or draped on their shoulders. It is not only poor welfare, it’s unsafe.”
The video has received more than 5,500 likes and a number of supportive comments.
These include “What a great video”, “These cats would definitely improve the commute” and “Great advice”.
But another respondent warned that pets could “lash out” in crowded areas, while another said: “99 per cent of cats would find this incredibly stressful”.
The commenter added: “As someone who works with cats, I strongly encourage you to leave your cats at home, where they feel safe.
“A cat’s territory is so important to them, and taking them out like this will make them feel vulnerable and at risk. Cats are not dogs.”
The charity says that cats should only be transported in a “safe and sturdy” carrier or cat box – for example, if being taken to the vet – and not in a cat backpack or collar and lead.
Sarah Elliott, Cats Protection’ central veterinary officer, said: “Restraining a cat on a lead or taking it on unnecessary journeys in backpacks can cause significant stress and inhibit a cat’s natural behaviours.
“Cats are territorial and like to roam freely, rather than go on leisure outings away from their familiar home. As well as the obvious safety and welfare concerns, cat harnesses prevent the flight response and feeling trapped can significantly escalate stress in cats.”
The charity has raised concerns about the growing use of cat harnesses – with 15 per cent of cat owners saying they use them.
Other people commenting on the video complained that the presence of cats on the Tube would trigger allergic reactions.
One person suggested, ironically, that it would not be long before London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan started to charge fares for pets to use the Tube.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We permit animals to travel on our network and anyone doing so should do so safely and in line with our conditions of carriage.”
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