New study reveals the changing face of cat ownership

• Cats Protection has issued a warning against the increasing use of harnesses for felines, citing significant stress and inhibition of their natural fight or flight response.
• A survey by the charity found that 15 per cent of cat owners now use harnesses, marking a notable increase from 10 per cent a year ago.
• The research highlights a significant demographic shift in cat ownership, with younger, more affluent urban individuals increasingly owning cats, and a growing preference for pedigree breeds.
• Owners are increasingly buying cats rather than adopting, leading to a decline in rehoming from welfare charities, which struggle to meet the demand for pedigree cats.
• Neutering rates have fallen to 82 per cent, and while microchipping is now a legal requirement in England, younger owners are less likely to chip their cats, often using GPS trackers instead.

IN FULL

Warning issued to cat owners over rising trend