Cats Protection has warned that cats have been “forgotten” this Christmas after new pet theft laws passed by the Scottish Parliament failed to include them.
The charity says it raised concerns earlier this year that cats would be overlooked if the proposed legislation went ahead in its original form — fears which have now been realised following the passing of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill.
While the new law represents a significant step forward for dog welfare, Cats Protection says thousands of cat owners across Scotland will not receive the same legal protections now afforded to dog owners.
The Bill recognises that the theft of a dog causes emotional harm to both the owner and the animal, and introduces stronger penalties for stealing assistance dogs. However, similar protections have not been extended to cats, leaving what the charity describes as a major gap in the law.
Alice Palombo, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager for Cats Protection, said: “We are extremely disappointed that despite our best efforts and support from the public, who wrote over 3,000 emails to their local MSPs to highlight the importance of including cats in new pet theft laws, this has not been the case.
“While we recognise this is a huge win for dog welfare, this Bill excludes cats, unlike similar legislation introduced in England and Northern Ireland last year. We know that 32% of cat owners in Scotland also share their home with a dog. It is not right that both their cats and dogs are not given equal protection under the law. The theft of a dog is just as heartbreaking for its owner as the theft of a cat.”
The charity also warned that cats are increasingly at risk of being targeted by pet thieves, driven by a growing demand for high-value pedigree cats.
For the first time, Cats Protection data shows a shift in the cat market, with more pedigree cats being acquired in the last 12 months than moggies. The Cats Protection Cats and Their Stats (CATS) Report Scotland 2025 found that 40% of cat owners bought their cats, increasing the risk of theft by those looking to profit.
Alice Palombo added: “We are calling for a specific offence for pet theft in Scotland. We are keen to work with the Scottish Government on this and will continue to advocate for cats and their owners across Scotland.”
More information can be found in The Cat Manifesto Scotland at: https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigning/manifesto/manifesto-scot.
Photo Credit: Cats Protection