Town’s cool for cats – survey

CATS don’t need their nine lives if they live in Bury St Edmunds, according to new research.

A recent study claims that owners in the town are 50 times less likely to make an insurance claim for their ill or injured pet than those in London.

But although the Co-operative pet insurance group said Suffolk owners only claimed for “low-level issues” such as hay fever, animal charities have dismissed the idea of Bury being perfectly safe for pets – citing car accidents and illness.

Sarah Oram of Bury‘s Stray Cats Fund said: “Bury is not particularly lucky for cats.”

She added that the 30-year-old charity, which helps cats from all ages, has seen a number of animals in the last year that have required treatment costing up to £750, with many people not realising the expense of cat ownership.

According to the insurance company’s research, London was the riskiest place to have a cat, ahead of Reading and Bristol. The largest number of claims in London – 15% – was made for cats needing treatment after a fight.

Ms Oram said the biggest challenge faced by the Little Whelnetham-based charity, is a lack of neutering. The organisation currently has 29 kittens that need homes. If you can help call 01284 388455.