Charity survey reveals cats are a lot more than just pets

The charity’s first annual report covering the behaviour of cats and their owners has been announced. The study’s writers claim the number of respondents to be over 10,000. In the UK there are an estimated 10.2 million cats, with nearly a quarter of all homes in the UK boasting one or more felines. 

The findings of the Cats Protection report suggest cats are great company and they help to relieve the stress of their owners. 

Some of the findings

Here are some of the findings abridged: 

• 59% of cat owners said their pets relieve stress and loneliness 
• 86% of owners speak to their cats at some point in the day 
• 91% of owners consider their pet to be part of the family 
• 53% of owners admitted to putting the needs of their cat above their own
• 61% of owners said they play with their cat daily
• 71% of owners hate leaving their cat behind when they go out 
• 55% of owners admit they worry about their cat’s happiness

Now if that's not proof that our cats are much more than just pets, then we don't know what is!

Good news and bad news

The study suggests that although most cats live happy lives, a quarter of the national population are not so well off; many enduring hardship and cruelty. 

Cats Protection chief executive James Yeates told Fife Times he believes the results of annual surveys can help to drive the charity to new goals.  

See also: New study suggests your cat may be secretly destroying the environment