The Big Cat Sanctuary and Cats Protection are proud to announce the official launch of a partnership, uniting the UK’s leading cat welfare charity with the world’s first IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival for wild cats.
This collaboration marks a unique milestone in animal advocacy, bringing together two organisations whose work spans the full breadth of the feline world. While the lions of the savannah and the tabbies on our sofas are very different animals with vastly different needs, they share a deep evolutionary heritage and, increasingly, a troubling intersection in the rise of wild/domestic hybridisation. By combining expertise, the partnership will deepen public understanding of feline behaviour, advance welfare standards, and confront the urgent and growing problem of crossbreeding wild species with domestic cats.
A cornerstone of this partnership is the launch of the “Conservation Conversation”, an exclusive online event series designed to provide deep insights into feline habits. Experts from both organisations will explore the biological blueprints that link all cats, regardless of size.
The initiative will provide practical education for cat owners, such as explaining why domestic cats often prefer their water bowls to be placed away from their food. This seemingly modern quirk is actually a vital survival instinct inherited from wild ancestors to avoid water contamination from prey; a perfect example of how their wild heritage lives on in our homes today.
John May, CEO at Cats Protection, said: “This is a wonderful partnership and it’s also really important to be collaborating to transform the lives of not just domestic cats, but big and small cats at the sanctuary. I spend so much time with domestic cats and the Big Cat Sanctuary has shown me that the similarity between those two is extraordinary. Through education and campaigning, I hope we can help people understand the importance of not engaging with the illegal pet trade and the hybridization between servals, domestics, Savannah cats and so much more.”
Cam Whitnall, Managing Director at The Big Cat Sanctuary, added: ““This partnership represents an important step forward for feline welfare. Domestic cats and wild cats are fundamentally different animals with vastly different needs, yet the rise of hybrid breeds is blurring that line in ways that put animals at serious risk, in particular wild small cat species. By joining forces with Cats Protection, we can shine a light on the welfare consequences of crossbreeding small wild cats like servals with domestic cats, champion responsible ownership, and ensure that every cat, from the smallest kitten in a home to the rarest big cat in our care, receives the specialised attention it deserves.”
Beyond behavioural education, the partnership will shine a spotlight on the serious welfare concerns associated with wild/domestic cat hybridisation. Both organisations are committed to raising awareness about the physical and psychological struggles hybrid cats face when kept as domestic pets, advocating for responsible ownership and stricter breeding regulations to protect feline well-being.
Show your support of all cats by becoming a member of The Big Cat Sanctuary at https://thebigcatsanctuary.org/
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