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30 The Portugal News · 21 Nov 2020 Animal Section

Cats alleviate stress and loneliness,

Cats can help to relieve stress on loneliness for

survey finds their owners, a new survey suggests.

Greater London. PETS FOR ADOPTION
While the majority are
leading happy, healthy lives,
around one in four cats
(26%) has sustained some
sort of significant injury.
Eighteen per cent of those
were caused by other cats or
animals, but some are being
targeted by humans – 3.3%
of owners said their pet had MAITE is a 12-year-old
been either poisoned or shot female that is used to being
by an air gun. outside most day. She would
Among those who do not love to find a home together
own cats but would like to, with her son Benny. She
11% cited their age – being loves people and walks.
too old and worrying what Email cadelacarlota.comp@
would happen to their pet gmail.com to meet Maite
after they died – as a reason. and Benny (Lagos).
Nineteen per cent said they
could not afford to keep a cat,
while 18% said they were not
allowed one in their rented
he majority of cat believe their pets “are great they worry about whether were the most popular names accommodation.
owners see their companions and can relieve their pet is happy, 71% for cats in the UK, with Bella According to Cats
pets as “great stress or loneliness”. saying they hate to leave or Belle topping the list Protection, that means an
T companions”, “Cats are fabulous company their cats when they go away for female cats and Bobby estimated 1.6 million more
according to survey of over and when you are feeling sad and as many as 42% saying or Bob leading the way for cats could be rehomed if all
10,000 households by Cats they just know how to cheer their pet had impacted their males. landlords allowed pets in
Protection charity. you up,” one respondent said. holiday plans. Other popular names were their properties.
The first annual Cats And According to the study, 86% There are an estimated 10.2 Poppy, Molly, Lily or Lilly The most common barrier BENNY is 10 years old and
Their Stats (CATS) report, of owners talk to their cats, million domestic cats in the and Luna for female cats, and to ownership was other pets can be shy at first. But he
described by the charity as 91% see them as part of the UK, around one for every six Charlie, Alfie, Oscar and Jack – 21% said the animals they likes people and to go for
“the first comprehensive family and more than half people. for males. owned made getting a cat walks. He would love to be
picture of owned cats in the (53%) said they prioritise their Each cat-owning household Of the 10.2 million cats unsuitable. adopted together with his
UK”, delves into a range of cat’s needs over their own. owns on average 1.6 cats, in the UK, 5.3 million are This year’s Cats report is the mother, Maite. Please email
aspects of cat ownership, Nine in 10 owners said they with 37% of owners having female and 4.9 million male. first year of what the charity cadelacarlota.comp@gmail.
from the benefits to owners, stroke their cats every day and more than one. Some 70% of respondents hopes will be an annual com to meet them (Lagos).
to the health of cats, to 61% said they play with their In total, 23% of households said their cats were moggies study which will help to
popular names. pet every day. – nearly one in four – has at with only 24% saying they drive its policy.
And the research showed But cats can also be a source least one cat. had pedigree breeds – but Cats Protection chief
59% of cat owners of concern, with 55% saying Also revealed in the study that number rose to 38% in executive James Yeates said:
“It gives us a new, robust
and unique insight into the
world of cats as well as their
owners, across the nation.
“It provides compelling
evidence that cats are
complex, with varied needs Palhaço. I am a neutered
that we must meet, and it male of about 4 years. I like
resoundingly shows just very much to be cuddled.
how much we love our cats. So, don’t hesitate to adopt
“Cats Protection will use me and call Corinna on 918
these statistics to inform 552 788 or send an email
everything we do.” at ccc.carvoeirocatcharity@
PA/TPN gmail.com