CatsMatter at 10 Downing Street
- CatsMatter
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the dangers cats face on our roads with RTA's now the leading cause of cat death in the UK. Tragically, some people think current laws provide sufficient protection for these beloved animals, but we are dedicated to changing this perception and advocate for legislation that requires drivers to stop and report any incidents involving cats they hit. As caring members of society, we must recognise the gravity of this issue and take proactive steps to safeguard our feline friends.
The CatsMatter Movement
CatsMatter is taking a robust stand, pushing for reforms that require drivers involved in cat accidents to stop and report the incident. Our letter handed to No.10 outlined specific actions necessary for a safer environment for cats:
Mandatory Reporting: Implementing laws that require drivers to report an incident involving a cat. In countries with similar regulations, states in America have seen a 25% decrease in unreported incidents, demonstrating the positive impact of such policies. Reporting is essential in reducing suffering and preserving life.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about safe driving in areas where cats are common can lead to safer roads. For instance, communities that have launched awareness campaigns report a reduction in cat fatalities by up to 30%.
Legislative Advocacy: Strong lobbying efforts can encourage laws improving protections for cats. Successful initiatives in other regions have increased responsible driving behaviours among residents, creating communities that prioritise compassion.
The Importance of Reporting Accidents
It's crucial for drivers to stop and report accidents involving cats for several important reasons:
Animals in Distress: Of those cats that instinctively run and hide when injured, making immediate reporting is vital for their chances of survival. Research shows that timely medical intervention can increase a cat's survival rate by up to 60%, highlighting the need for prompt action.
Owner closure: Owners want to be given every chance to save their beloved companion and family member. Failing this, they want, need and deserve to be notified so they can understand what has happened and have closure, as well as being afforded the opportunity to say goodbye and lay their cat to rest.
Improving Local Policies: Collecting and reporting accident statistics can help local governments address this issue and implement more effective road safety measures. Communities that actively report these incidents often see faster action from local authorities. We can all help with this by encouraging our local authorities to scan, if they do not do so already, and reporting any animal found on the road here. This could lead to awareness campaigns in specific areas, speed restrictive measures being considered such as speed humps or islands, or signage being erected on certain stretches of road that alert drivers to be extra cautious in those areas, such as the triangle animal ones you see from deer to frogs.
When drivers acknowledge their responsibility, they can become advocates for change, breaking the cycle of apathy surrounding this urgent issue.
The Impact of Legislation on Cat Welfare
Legislation mandating drivers to report accidents involving cats will significantly enhance the overall wellbeing of these animals. One immediate impact would be a reduction in the number of neglected and injured cats on the streets, such as those we have all seen being collected by local rescue groups with both old and new injuries from road accidents, such as broken legs or fractured pelvis'. Additionally, a culture valuing compassion and responsibility would emerge, encouraging individuals to think critically about their role in protecting living beings. Many drivers already do do the right thing automatically, others unfortunately need the threat of prosecution or fines to be encouraged to do what should come naturally to us all. Either way, a change in the law, like it has for dogs, would cause people to realise that the Government values cats as a species that deserves help if injured by leading by example. It would also highlight that it acknowledges that cats are an integral part of peoples families and it supports their need to know all has been done should their cat fall into trouble, as well as the important need for closure.
By combining strong law enforcement with outreach programs, we can showcase a community committed to safeguarding its animal residents. Drawing the connection between responsible driving and the lives of cats can foster greater care and empathy within society.
Taking Our Fight to the Top
We are in talks about future projects with a few people, but one of our latest projects was to let those at the top know their is an ever increasing appetite for change. People have been petitioning and campaigning for many years, yet all we ever hear are things along the lines of 'it wouldn't be feasible', or 'it would be too difficult to enforce'. This is just not correct at all and we invite them to explore beyond the obvious surface as cats deserve us to do so.
We agree that cats could never be treated exactly the same as dogs in terms of being tacked onto the Road Traffic Act, the Act which states drivers must stop and report it if they hit a dog when driving. But we completely disagree that there are no similar workable alternatives that would perfectly fit the cat and give them similar protections. The only difference would be which Act the legislation would come under, and in the ways in which incidents were reported. This must be different due to other laws surrounding the two species, such as right of free roam.
We wrote our alternative proposals in full. Along with this we compiled a letter stating we want a commitment on investigating legislation change for cats which was signed by numerous, some very well known, animal organisations. Each of those that signed stand with us in our ask to the Government to investigate our proposals further with the intention of finally implementing protections for cats on our roads.
In July 2025 we, along with Cat Eccles MP, visited Downing Street and personally hand delivered this letter. We feel very privileged to have had this opportunity, and a wonderful day was had by all. Now we look forward to the official response...
