Monday, September 21, 2009

First Road Safety Initiative for Cats

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/news_article.asp?article_id=546



A pioneering road safety initiative for cats has been unveiled in Warrington. The pilot scheme, launched by Pro Plan, aims to reduce feline fatalities and injuries from road traffic accidents. Every year in Britain approximately 960,000 cats are involved in road traffic accidents, many of which die as a result of their injuries. If successful it is hoped that the scheme will be adopted on a national level.

From today Tower Lane, Warrington, will feature specially designed road signs to warn drivers there are cats in the area and to drive more slowly and take extra care.

Claire Parry-Baggott from Pro Plan comments, "There’s always been a history of road signs for horses, farm animals and even hedgehogs, so why not have one for cats? The cat is now the most popular pet in the UK - six million households own one. With the Pro Plan Cat Road Safety campaign, the aim is to protect them when they’re out and about, and most at risk."

Cats Protection, the leading UK feline charity endorses the campaign. Helen Ralston, Chief Executive of Cats Protection comments, "Far too many cats are involved in road traffic accidents, which causes enormous suffering to pet and owner alike. We warmly welcome the Warrington road sign initiative and hope it will soon be duplicated elsewhere in the country."

Beryl Tench, who lives on Tower Lane comments, "We’re delighted about the Pro Plan initiative – my cat was badly injured by a car a couple of years ago – its been a real problem for cats in the area – hopefully drivers will be more aware of the risks from now on."

The Feline Advisory Bureau, the leading UK charity dedicated to promoting health and welfare of cats, has also backed the campaign. CEO, Claire Bessant comments, "Most cats really enjoy the great outdoors, however they face danger every time they venture onto roads. It’s a problem that has been difficult to tackle before now, so we hope Pro Plan’s solution will prove successful and help reduce the number of cats injured in road traffic accidents."



In Singapore where compassion to animals is a "new" concept to many people, especially people in management, such as the town councils, any complaint by motorists about cats running across roads will be another excuse to KILL!

A child can also dash across the road but will a motorist complain about this?

Whether there is a risk of a child or an animal dashing across the road, a motorist MUST drive carefully at ALL times, especially in a built-up areas! But cats always "kanna" blamed for everything, especially in Singapore where complainants are treated like kings!