Former detective Rav Wilding has issued a warning to cat owners about a rising threat of pets being enticed away by strangers, during an appearance on BBC Morning Live. He described so-called 'cat seducers' as a real phenomenon and reminded owners of a legal requirement that could result in fines of up to £500.
What is 'cat seduction'?
Mr Wilding explained that people are taking in other people's cats and keeping them as their own. He said: "People are actually taking in other people's cats and basically keeping them as their own and the headlines calling them cat seducers, It is apparently on the rise. And these cats are being fed, they're being groomed, they're being taken inside the homes, essentially adopted by complete strangers. Now, it might seem quite innocent in some ways. It's not."
He stressed that these animals are someone's pet and often a companion or part of the family. "They don't have a right to take it on," he added, noting that roaming cats may be fed by anyone while out wandering.
Health risks and rising numbers
Mr Wilding highlighted serious issues beyond ownership, including the cat's health. He said: "They might not know the cat might have medical needs. Diet needs might not be able to eat the food that they give them. Cats do cost a lot of money to keep and the vet bills. So, that's one of the reasons why more people are taking these cats in."
According to charity Cats Protection, 13% of the total UK cat population has been taken in off the street or acquired in some way, he said. "So, there are a lot more roaming cats out there, but it doesn't give someone the right to just take them in and treat them as their own."
Legal microchipping and protection tips
Mr Wilding reminded owners that microchipping is a legal requirement in England since 2024. He said: "There's a few things you can do just quickly I would say remember you need to have your cat microchipped that is a legal requirement in England now since 2024 so make sure that is up to date."
He also suggested GPS trackers as a useful measure, noting that his neighbour's cat was taken in by someone for weeks before she got a tracker. He advised letting neighbours know if a cat goes missing and stressed that cats are important family pets.
Owners must ensure their cat is microchipped before it reaches 20 weeks of age, with contact details stored and kept up to date in an approved pet microchipping database. With more than 9 million pet cats in England, mandatory microchipping aims to make it easier to reunite lost or stray cats with their owners. Microchips are safe and easy to implant, with an average cost of around £25 for microchipping and registration, though charities and rescue organisations may offer reduced rates. Failing to comply could result in a fine of up to £500.
