Vet Sarah Jones has issued advice as autumn brings darker evenings
Reflective collars make cats much easier to see at night(Image: Getty)
Cat owners throughout the country are being encouraged to purchase one specific item for their pet this week, if they have not already done so, for an important reason. From October 1, sunset will occur before 7pm across the vast majority of the UK, meaning evenings will become significantly darker much earlier.
With nightfall arriving considerably sooner during the autumn months, and the clocks due to go back an hour in the coming weeks, animal welfare specialists are urging cat owners to take immediate precautions. Dr Sarah Jones (BVSc MBA CertSAS PhD MRCVS), head veterinary surgeon at Pet Drugs Online, is calling on pet owners to adopt additional safety measures to safeguard cats and dogs from roadside hazards.
She said: “Every pet owner wants to provide the very best care for their furry friends, but owning an animal means being responsible for their safety and protecting them from threats, with roadside dangers among the most serious. No matter how well-behaved your pet is, drivers can be unpredictable, so it’s crucial to pay attention and stay alert.”
To keep outdoor cats safe as the nights draw in, owners are advised to bring them indoors during the evening when visibility is poor and traffic levels are high. Ensuring they are legally microchipped makes it considerably easier to locate them in the unfortunate event of an accident.
According to Blue Cross, roads pose a significant hazard to pets, with approximately 80,000 dogs and 200,000 cats killed by vehicles annually. If a cat ventures outdoors after dark, equipping them with a reflective collar enhances their visibility to motorists, reports the Mirror.
Cats with dark or patterned fur blend seamlessly into pavements and shadows. But, a reflective strip disrupts that camouflage.
If cat owners have not yet obtained a reflective collar for their outdoor cat, Dr Sarah Jones states it is well worth investing in one. “As the days grow darker in the winter months, outdoor cats can be a particular concern for owners, especially those who may roam near busy roads,” she said.
“Ideally, avoid letting your cat out in the evening and instead allow them to roam outside during daylight hours when visibility is better, and traffic is lighter. If your cat does go out at night, a reflective collar can help make them more visible to drivers.”
She added: “While you can’t control their movements once they’re outside, microchipping your cat ensures you can locate them more easily if they go missing or are involved in an accident. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement to microchip your cat once they are over 20 weeks old, so owners should ensure they are correctly following these guidelines.”
Her guidance comes as a major petition that has attracted widespread attention in recent weeks and even drawn the government’s focus. The petition demands legislation compelling drivers to report collisions with cats, and it has now closed after securing nearly 190,000 signatures.
It proposes an amendment to Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that motorists are legally obliged to stop and report striking a cat, affording them the same legal protections as dogs. Having comfortably surpassed the 100,000-signature threshold, Parliament has formally scheduled a debate on this particular petition for Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6pm.
