Donate

Cruelty and neglect

Cats are protected from harm by law. Find out more about protecting cats from cruelty and neglect.

Cruelty and neglect

Cats are protected from harm by law. Find out more about protecting cats from cruelty and neglect.

Topics covered:

Need more cat advice?

Get free cat care tips and inspiring cat stories straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our emails

Protecting cats from cruelty and neglect

Cats are protected from harm by law, and owners have a duty to meet their needs. If these needs aren’t being met, then by law this could be seen as cruelty and neglect.

As owners, it’s our job to make sure our cats are happy and healthy at all times. If there’s something wrong with your cat then you need to work towards making it better, be this a change in the home environment or a visit to the vet for a check-up.

Whether you own a cat or not, if you see another cat suffering from cruelty and neglect you should take steps to help the cat in need.

Cats and the law

What constitutes cruelty and neglect?

The Animal Welfare Act is designed to prevent animal cruelty and create an obligation for owners to meet their pet's five welfare needs:

  • for a suitable environment
  • for a suitable diet
  • to exhibit normal behaviours
  • to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
  • to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

If an owner is failing to meet any one of these needs, it could be seen as animal cruelty. This law applies to feral cats too. So, if anyone prevents a feral cat from being able to meet their five welfare needs, they could be prosecuted.

Your responsibilities as a cat owner

What to do if you suspect cruelty or neglect

While Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, we are primarily a rehoming organisation and do not carry out private prosecutions. If you are concerned about a cat you should contact:

Penalties for animal cruelty and neglect

Animal cruelty is not acceptable and is a criminal offence. Cats Protection was heavily involved in the campaign to raise sentences for cruelty. In 2021 the maximum penalty for cruelty offences (causing unnecessary suffering) was raised from six months to five years and/or an unlimited fine.

Campaigning

Free guide

Download our free guide packed full of all the information you need about caring for your cat.

Caring for your cat guide
Tabby cat lying on a carpet while a hand gently strokes their head.
Find out more

Your responsibilities as a cat owner

As a cat owner, you have a moral and legal obligation to meet your cat's five welfare needs. Find out how to give your cat a happy and healthy life.

5 minutes
Ginger-and-white cat sitting on a floor, looking upwards beside a wooden enclosure.
Find out more

Cats and the law

Learn about the ways you are obliged to care for your cat by law, and how to protect cats in danger of neglect or abuse.

5 minutes
Ginger-and-white cat lying on a grey blanket with their head resting on the fabric.
Find out more

Keeping your cat safe

Take a look at our free guide for information on keeping your cat safe from everyday household hazards and what to do if your cat has an accident at home.

5 minutes
Find a Cat
Donate
About us