MEP Alex Mayer (centre) showing her support for the Declaration and for improving feline welfare through changes to EU policy.

Document calls for collaborative approach to improve feline wellbeing

A best-practice document which calls for a cooperative and coordinated approach to cat welfare has received a huge amount of support from vets, charities and government officials across the world.

The ‘International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats’ was launched by International Cat Care in January to mark the organisation’s 60th anniversary. The document provides a framework for all those responsible for cat welfare and facilitates a cohesive approach between them.

Since its launch, the Declaration has gathered more than 21,000 signatures from people in 108 countries. They include the Portuguese animal welfare organisation, Animais de Rya, British MEP Alex Mayer and the EU Dog & Cat Alliance.

“This shows how many people care about cats, want their welfare to be improved and believe in a collaborative approach to achieve this,” said an International Cat Care spokesperson.

To enable individuals and organisations across the world to utilise the Declaration, it has now been translated into five languages - French, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish - with many more to follow.

In March, representatives from International Cat Care went to meet MEP Alex Mayer at the European Parliament and to talk about ways to protect cats - both stray and owned - within EU policy. The charity described the meeting as ‘a successful start’ and continues to move forward, bringing together all entities responsible for cat health and wellbeing.

To read and add your support to the Declaration, visit icatcare.org/declaration

Image (C) ICatCare