News Centre

Animal charity the Blue Cross has issued a warning to cat owners living in high rise apartments of the dangers posed to their pets by leaving windows open.

The warm summer weather that the UK is experiencing has led many householders to keep windows in their flats open both night and day in an effort to keep cool. However, many pet owners are unaware that they may be putting their family pet in danger. The charity is worried about this, and is setting out to highlight the hazards to pet owners everywhere.

The charity, which was formed in 1897 and operates a number of welfare centres across the UK, said it had recently had to provide medical treatment for three pet cats that had sustained injuries from falling from open windows up to six floors high.

Injuries sustained by the animals included a fractured front leg, which required an operation, a broken thigh bone and a dislocated hip.

In a statement, the Blue Cross set out several simple measures to take to reduce the risk of any accidents. It said: "If you have cats and want to have your windows open, invest in a mesh covering which will prevent them falling out.

"You can also make sure the window is open a tiny bit on a restrictor so the cat can't push it open, but remember that cats can fit through very small gaps."

Taking such precautions would reduce the number of unnecessary pet cat insurance claims and veterinary costs incurred by owners.

The news comes at the same time as pet insurance expert Joanne Guillan called upon pet owners to make sure that their household pets were covered by a comprehensive policy.

Citing the UK’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers, Ms Guillan highlighted the attachment that owners have with their pets. She commented that household pets are just as susceptible to illnesses and accidents as their owners, so measures should be taken to make sure that they are looked after.

She said: "There's no NHS for the canine and feline kingdoms so arranging good insurance should be a priority."