Cat-Napping On The Rise In The United Kingdom

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Newly released figures show that cat thievery is alive and well in the UK, with a rise of 40 percent in the number of stolen cats reported.

Cats are a part of our family, and when they are stolen, it’s a family member gone missing. In the United Kingdom, when dogs are stolen, police most always record the breed of missing dog, but that is not typically the case for when cats are reported stolen.

Related:Crazy Cat Maze Proves Cats Can Make Humans Do ANYthing [Video]

Still, when they are recorded, it turns out that there are a few popular breeds that go missing more: Bengals (which are known to be pricey) and the regular old garden kitty, the Domestic Shorthair.

Officials say that the Bengal is most commonly the target of cat thievery, with the Domestic Shorthair and Russian Blue coming in right behind it as highly sought out felines. London, Kent, and West Yorkshire are the places that report the most thefts, and sadly, barely a fifth of stolen cats are recovered (compared to 21 percent of reported stolen dogs making their way home).

Direct Line Pet Insurance claims that in 2016, 261 cats were reported stolen in the UK, and this data shows a 40 percent increase compared to 186 stolen in 2014. Officials believe that the number is actually an underestimate of stolen cats as there are over 360,000 adults in the UK who believe they’ve had a cat stolen from their care in the last year. And, because cats are more ‘free spirits,’ often owners think their cats are missing when it, in fact, could have been stolen.

Bengals and Russian Blues, as well as Siamese kittens, can go for $600 or more and seem like easy money for would-be cat-nappers. Officials recommend that cat owners should contact the local animal control/warden as soon as they’ve checked with neighbors and neighboring vicinities to find their cat. If they can’t find them, it may not be because they’re lost but that they’ve been taken.

Related:Could Your Cat’s Purring Have Healing Effects on You?

They also recommend making sure your cat is microchipped and neutered, and putting this information on the cat’s collar may protect a would-be thief from thinking they were worth stealing. Sometimes, those ‘high-maintenance’ cats aren’t worth the trouble, and a little extra information on the tag may deter a thief.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Top 10 Dog Father’s Day Gifts

When a canine is your dad''s BF, a gift for the dog is really a gift for your dad. Here are our favorite picks that celebrate your dog-loving daddy-o.
How to Transition Your Cat to New Food

Cats are known as being picky eaters. If you want to switch your feline to a new food, we''ve got some tricks to get picky cats to convert.
Pixie Bob

The Pixie Bob is an active, social cat with a bold and playful spirit. They like to be in multi-animal households, and express themselves vocally.
Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe

The summer is too short to be spent in the kitchen. That’s why you’ll love this Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe. It took me five minutes to make.…
Keep a Constant Tail On Your Dog With This Kickstarter Smart Collar De

We can''t always be with our dogs. A smart dog collar device on Kickstarter is bound to be a game-changer when it comes to watching our pets 24/7.
American Walking Pony

The American Walking Pony is a true pleasure to work with. This horse breed is calm and docile, and is comfortable to ride.
Your Dog Will Have a Ball With the Pebby WiFi Toy

Play with your dog when you''re not around with Pebby. Track, monitor, and play with your furbaby from wherever you by funding this cool Kickstarter.
Fell Pony

Once used by the Vikings, the Fell Pony prefers to engage in activities that stimulate its curiosity. It can be ridden by children and adults.
Bog Turtle

The adorable little Bog Turtle is actually one of the smallest of all the turtle breeds on the planet. It''s also known as the Muhlenberg''s Turtle.
Best Cat Window Perches

Your cat wants to know what''s going on outside. Give her the perfect place to window watch. Check out our list of the best cat window perches.
Colorado Ranger Horse

The Colorado Ranger Horse is also known as the Rangerbred. These horses are bold, clever, and intelligent, and are able to perform a variety of tasks.
Study: Exposure to Cats Can Reduce Childhood Asthma Rates

Another reason to get a cat! New research suggests that a cat in the house around newborns can help prevent children from developing asthma.
Florida White Rabbit

The Florida White rabbit is a wonderful pet for practically any stage of a person''s life.They are docile, laid-back animals who like to take it easy.
Cocker Spaniel

In this brief guide, we''ll take a look at the Cocker Spaniel and address how it became a breed synonymous with ""quality dog.""
Popware For Pets Has The Scoop On Portion Control When It Comes To Fee

Popware has a way to control potions when feeding dogs, and it''s pretty simple and convenient (in a forehead-slapping, why-didn''t-we-think-of-it way).