MP Bob Seely has written to leading members of parliament’s animal interest groups, asking them to support his amendments to ban the Savannah cat trade.
The Island’s MP has written to officers from the All-Party Parliamentary Groups for Cats, Animal Welfare, Zoos and Aquariums, asking them to support his amendments to the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
Mr Seely has submitted amendments to ban the breeding and import of Savannahs (a hybrid breed of wild and domestic cat). The Island MP submitted these amendments in collaboration with the Isle of Wight-based Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, who have campaigned against the breeding of wild and domestic cats through their SERVIVAL campaign.
Mr Seely has previously said that:
“Breeding Savannahs is painful and cruel to the domestic cat. The resultant Savannahs are also, fundamentally, wild animals; they are not suitable pets and are often abandoned by their owners. Despite their unsuitability, the Savannah trade, fuelled by social media, has grown.
“Our amendment aims to protect both domestic cats involved in the breeding and their hybrid offspring.”
Mr Seely’s amendment has already gained cross party support with 12 MPs from 4 parties having signed both amendments.
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is currently awaiting its Report Stage in the House of Commons. There is no set date for the Bill to return.
Keep up the good work Bob
Why? I’ve Googgled them and most say they make an Ideal family pet, more like a dog than a cat
What a trivial and insignificant little man. Get rid of it.
I thought I’d go for the ‘Aaah. Look. He likes cat’s. I’ll support him.’ vote. Cheaper than brown envelopes.
So the parasite tory boy wants to help cats, but couldn’t give a toss about his own constituents services to Health, Welfare and Social being cut to the bone. Get stuffed you horrible little oik.
Bravo well said!
Bob while you’re in the ‘campaigning’ mood, how’s about campaigning to stop our island being concreted from the coast to the downs? After all you were elected to look after us not moggies!!!!!
Don’t know if you heard him on Radio 5 the other day, couldn’t answer a question straight if he tried.
Comically, an island resident (a Scot) talking to London Bob about the lack of Dentists here on the Island. !
Bob Seely, you are vile self centred little creature, you really don’t deserve to represent this once lovely island. Do us all a favour and disappear!!
I have owned two Savannah Cats for over ten years and they have been the best pets and have been trained as service animals. My two boys are legally allowed to go with me, wherever I go, including the hospital, doctor’s office, dentist, grocery store, and even restaurants.
I would like to address several of the misconceptions and fallacies spreading around the internet. Most of the kittens are bought as pets and are fourth or later generations from the Serval. The further the generation is the lower the percentage of wild is in the genes. An F1 can have 50% or higher Serval genes if a Serval is mated to a High-level Savannah cat. The second generation is usually 25% and the third has around 12% Serval genes.
I also have a female F3 Savannah and have had no problems with her at all. She is more domesticated than my black siamese who is the more aggressive of the two. They make lovely pets who are sensitive and loving. We didn’t purposely look for a Savannah but it was the only kitten available in our area during lockdown as all the rescue shelters were closed and wouldn’t let us adopt. No regrets here, and I just wish that our MP would get on with more important jobs like doing something about all the derelict buildings in our town and trying to lower our ridiculously high council tax etc.
Can I ask if yours are house cats or do you let them out like our normal Tabby’s? Because my mums neighbour have 2 and as sweet as they are with their owners when they’re out the house they terrorise every single other small domestic cat in the neighbourhood, cats are territorial animals so they bullied every cat on the street that had been there for a decade that now don’t want to leave their hoises because of the savannah? I’m not saying yours are like that I’m just intrigued as to whether people spend all that money and then let them out or have as house cats?
Only one litter has occurred with the tom being the domestic. Some kittens have not survived as there are some gestational differences Servals take 10-11 weeks and domestic cats take just about 9-10 weeks. Once breeding occurs beyond F4 levels there are no problems.
The costs associated with buying a Savannah Cat have been exaggerated and misrepresenting the actual cost and or reasons for the high kitten fees. Most popular kittens are priced higher as they can demand the fee, but with the Savannah Cat, much of the costs also are due to it being a new breed with few breeders working to develop the standard for the breed. Between the demand, some gestational issues and so few breeders mean there are very few kittens available each year.
What is often overlooked in the kitten prices are the variables that influence the cost, such as the F level, breeding rights, and show quality markings, these are incentives that raise the price over the ‘pet’ quality kitten. Most people who want a kid and dog-friendly pet opt for an F4 or F5 and lower level and this cat will be more domestic in size and temperament than pet owners are used to. The F4-F7 kittens for home ‘pets’ usually cost between $1-2k depending on their F level and quality compared to the breed standard.
Another misunderstanding is the size is not always related to the Filial level and that pet owners want the least expensive kitten while getting a larger-than-average adult Savannah Cat for the same cost.
There is no guarantee on how big each individual kitten will become and it can take 3-4 years for the kitten to finish growing. Adult females are most often smaller than adult males in height and weight. The breed has a few distinct differences from other pure-breed cats and many are associated with their head. The adult Savannah Cat has a smaller triangular head in proportion to the body in comparison to the other cat breeds. The wide, deep ears and forehead form a rectangle and are positioned more on top of the head vs other breeds are more on the side of the head. Savannah Cats have one of the larger (taller) sets of ears and they tend to have a small tuff of hair at the apex.
Savannah cats are an unholy abomination.
Meanwhile hard working people on the island get squeezed even more, the hospital is a mess, no NHS dentists, to much development going on, the council falling apart and full of corruption. These are local things Bungling Bob. You should be concentrating on this, and not pandering to Sandown Zoo, yes it is a zoo, and always will be.
This whole stunt is a desperate attempt to win favour. Bob has never contributed to helping the island and never will. Hasn’t got the spine to speak out and try to make a difference. Just looking out for himself. The funny thing is that he is sat stroking a cat, presumably the sort of cat he wants to ban. Makes no sense.
Perfect comment
But he won’t take any notice.
this bloke seely will do anything but his actual job
I like how you all think commenting on here makes any difference. He doesn’t read this. But I’m sure there are a few that think he’s ok now he’s been photographed with a kitten. He must be alright, right?
Bandwagon Bob strikes again.
The practice of “deadcatting” is where a politician says or does something to distract people from the real issues. At least he’s using live ones, I suppose.
Why is he stroking her pussy? She looks happy enough though so must have a good touch.
Bob thought Liz Truss was a good choice for PM. She lost the market, in one month, $500 Billion and cost the UK tax payer over $100 Billion. But making sure some cats are ok, yes that is a priority. The Tories are trying to pretend Liz Truss did not happen. Mind you, as I have now spoken against them and I have a bike lock I am sure I will vanish into prison never to be seen again. A small step considering the UK has award winning journalists locked in prison despite never committing a crime. If you think we have a democracy then you’re living in cloud cuckoo land.
All I did was stroke a cat. FFS!
Good to see he is spending time on the real pressing issues affecting islanders day to day lives eh *eye roll*
I suggest we breed domestic cats with ocelots to produce an expensive new breed called a “costalot”.