Ministers considered ‘exterminating’ all 11 million British cats in Covid outbreak panic

Britain’s 11 million cats had been within the firing line at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, a former well being minister has admitted, with the Authorities contemplating ordering all of them to be “exterminated”. Lord Bethell used the shocking instance as an instance the widespread ignorance about the way in which wherein the illness was unfold when it first emerged within the UK at the beginning of 2020.

He mentioned: “There was a second we had been very unclear about whether or not home pets might transmit the illness.

“In actual fact, there was an concept at one second that we would need to ask the general public to exterminate all of the cats in Britain.”

He added: “Are you able to think about what would have occurred if we had wished to do this?

“And but, for a second there was a little bit of proof round that in order that needed to be investigated and closed down.”

Britain is residence to greater than 11 million cats (Picture: GETTY)

Boris Johnson delivers a Covid briefing in 2020 (Picture: GETTY)

The Twitter account of Larry, the feline resident of Quantity 10, dubbed Chief Mouser to the Cupboard Workplace, was fast to wade in, posting: “Arduous to not take this personally.”

The Authorities's official coronavirus steerage could be learn .

A survey revealed by the Folks’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) final 12 months indicated Britain is presently residence to 11.1 million cats, with 24 p.c of the UK grownup inhabitants proudly owning one.

Recommendation carried on the web site of Cats Safety says: “There's restricted proof to counsel the transmission of COVID-19 from individuals to cats could also be doable.

Lord Bethell, talking within the Lords earlier this 12 months (Picture: Parliament TV)

Arduous to not take this personally

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat)

“This means that transmission from people to cats is extraordinarily uncommon.

“Due to this fact, it is crucial that homeowners mustn't fear unnecessarily.

“Given the dearth of transmission there are presently no plans to vaccinate cats in opposition to COVID-19.”

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Former Well being Secretary Matt Hancock (Picture: Getty)

As a precaution, homeowners are suggested to

• Wash arms completely with cleaning soap and water earlier than and after dealing with their pet or when touching their meals or bedding
• Keep away from shut contact resembling cuddling or kissing your cat if self-isolating
• Not share meals with their cat