UK cat charity warns rising harness use, low neutering and microchipping rates among young urban owners.

A UK cat charity warns that 15% of cat owners now use harnesses to take cats outdoors, up from 10% last year, citing stress from restricting cats’ natural instinct to flee. The trend is driven by younger, more affluent urban owners, many of whom prefer purchasing pedigree cats over adopting. Neutering rates have dropped to 82%, and younger owners are less likely to comply with England’s mandatory microchipping law since June 2024. While GPS trackers are popular, they are not reliable substitutes. The charity recommends secure carriers for transport and cautions against outdoor walking, emphasizing cats thrive in safe, familiar indoor environments.